Fire destroys abandoned hotel building in Ylitornio, Sweden assists firefighting

A fire broke out Wednesday in an abandoned hotel and restaurant building in Aavasaksa, Ylitornio, with no reported injuries, according to Lapland Emergency Services.

Firefighting crews from Ylitornio, Pello, Tornio, Rovaniemi, and Sweden’s Övertorneå responded to the blaze, which was first reported with black smoke and flames visible from the windows of the vacant structure. Upon arrival, crews conducted smoke-diving operations alongside Swedish firefighters to contain the initial fire.

“Smutting and ventilation operations are currently underway,” said Timo Nyholm, duty fire chief for Lapland Emergency Services. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Lapland Police.

The building, known as Rajahovi, has stood empty for years near the border bridge to Sweden. While no longer in use, Ylitornio’s municipal director Jarmo Pienimäki noted the site’s strategic location remains significant.

The same property previously gained attention during Finland’s largest human trafficking trial, where marja-berry company Polarica was accused of housing Thai workers in the building under poor conditions.