Major fire in Krokstadelva displaces over 400 residents ahead of school term

More than 400 people were evacuated on Monday after a major fire destroyed more than 100 homes in the Krokstadelva area of Drammen, Norway, just weeks before the start of the new school term.

Stenseth school, located a short distance from the burned district, has become a gathering point for families affected by the blaze. Principal Vegard Aamodt told Dagbladet that nearly all of the school’s roughly 200 pupils live in the evacuated zone, though the exact number who lost their homes remains unconfirmed.

The school is coordinating with municipal crisis teams to ensure continuity for students, including those temporarily housed outside the district. Plans are being made to accommodate transport and maintain peer groups for children who have already lost their homes.

Røde Kors (Norwegian Red Cross) has launched support measures for children impacted by the fire, noting that many are expressing trauma through drawings and conversations. The organization is providing additional activities and emotional support as families begin to rebuild.

Stenseth school itself remains undamaged and operational, though staff acknowledge the visible destruction from classrooms overlooking the charred area. The principal emphasized that no serious injuries have been reported and that the school, along with municipal health services and crisis teams, is focused on providing stability for affected students.