Community rallies after devastating fire destroys homes in Puolanka

A destructive fire that destroyed a six-unit row house in Puolanka has sparked an outpouring of support from the local community, with residents and businesses stepping in to help those who lost their homes, reports Yle.

The blaze, which broke out late Sunday night, completely destroyed the building. Local grill entrepreneurs Heidi Turpeinen and Taina Huhta immediately offered free meals for a week to those affected, hoping to ease their burden.

“We didn’t need two seconds to think about how we could help,” Huhta said. The pair, who previously worked in healthcare, said assisting others felt instinctive. “I wish helping your neighbor would come spontaneously—it shouldn’t just be learned, it should be in our DNA,” Huhta added.

Their social media post offering support quickly gained traction, receiving thousands of likes and dozens of comments. The response surprised the entrepreneurs, who had simply wanted to reach those in need. “It’s been amazing to see how, in a small village, everyone is ready to help and give what they can,” Huhta said.

The fire also exposed challenges in emergency response times in remote areas. Puolanka lacks its own on-duty fire brigade, and the first responders—a paramedic unit and a fire truck with a single contracted firefighter—arrived from neighboring municipalities nearly an hour away. “The worst fear of a remote area came true. Help is so far away that by the time it arrives, there’s nothing left to save,” Turpeinen said.

The community’s willingness to help has extended beyond Puolanka, with people from other areas also offering clothing, linens, and essential supplies. Turpeinen noted that even a passing customer picked up food to contribute after seeing their post.

For now, the focus remains on supporting those who must rebuild from scratch. “It’s been wonderful to see how people have reacted,” Turpeinen said. “Others realized we could help this way, so they could help too.”