Fire at Heinola recycling plant extinguished after toxic smoke threat

The large fire at a recycling facility in Heinola, Finland, has been brought under control, emergency services confirmed early Thursday morning, though the blaze posed severe risks due to highly toxic smoke.

The Päijät-Häme Rescue Department declared the fire at Kuusakoski’s recycling plant extinguished after overnight efforts, with no injuries reported. Authorities lifted an earlier hazard warning Thursday morning, allowing nearby rail traffic to resume normally.

Investigators suspect the fire originated from recycled batteries, though the exact cause may remain unclear. “There’s a massive cleanup ahead,” said duty fire chief Mika Tervala, describing the aftermath as chaotic.

The fire produced life-threatening smoke containing burning plastics, electronics, and chemicals. Tervala called the incident “exceptionally serious,” noting that shifting winds spared nearby residential areas—including the Myllyoja district—from what could have required evacuating hundreds.

“Had the wind blown toward populated areas, we’d have faced a full-scale evacuation,” he said. “We were incredibly lucky.”

The response strained regional emergency resources, with crews rotating continuously due to the physically demanding conditions. Tervala also raised concerns about the plant’s proximity to homes, urging municipal planners to prioritize safety buffers around similar facilities.