Fire investigators probe cause of Espoo house fire that began on roof

A detached house in Espoo’s Viherlaakso district was completely destroyed by a fire that started on the roof in an unusual manner, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports.

The blaze broke out around midday on Wednesday, with flames engulfing the entire structure before firefighters could contain it. No injuries were reported, though over ten emergency response units were deployed to the scene.

Jyrki Kallio, the lead investigator and detective chief inspector, confirmed the fire’s origin on the roof remains unexplained, as no electrical equipment or other typical ignition sources were present in that area. While solar panels have been suggested as a possible cause, Kallio stressed the investigation is in its early stages, and no conclusions can yet be drawn.

The homeowner, described as deeply shocked, could not provide any information on how the fire began. Authorities continue to examine all potential factors, including the quality and installation of solar panels, which have seen a surge in popularity in recent years.