Major blaze destroys over 100 homes in Krokstadelva

KROKSTADELVA/OSLO (Dagbladet): A fast-moving row-house fire erupted in Krokstadelva, Drammen municipality, on Friday afternoon, destroying more than 100 homes and becoming the worst peacetime blaze since 1923.

Emergency services were alerted at 15:39 after reports of a fully involved row house. By 16:30 the fire had jumped between units and ignited vegetation, prompting calls for reinforcements from fire stations across Buskerud, Akershus and Oslo. Two helicopters joined the effort, and the Civil Defence was activated.

By 18:20 police estimated at least 50 units were lost; by 21:00 the toll had doubled. A crisis staff was established in Drammen, and evacuation centres were opened at Stenseth school and Scandic Hotel Ambassadeur. The Red Cross mobilised 35 volunteers to assist evacuees and support emergency responders.

As of Saturday afternoon the fire remained uncontrolled, with strong radiant heat hampering crews. The Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning described the blaze as the worst modern incident on record.

Administrative director Ari Soilammi of the Norwegian Fire Protection Association told Dagbladet the disaster could have been prevented with stronger prevention and upgrading measures.

“It is unacceptable that we experience such large fires in Norway,” Soilammi said. “Many row houses built in the 1960s and 1970s have poor fire separation between units, allowing rapid spread. If vegetation and wind are also present, the heat load becomes extreme and firefighters may be unable to stop the advance.”

Soilammi noted that proper internal gypsum walls and non-combustible cladding breaks are required to limit fire spread between attached dwellings.