Police suspect alcohol distilling equipment caused Vaasa apartment explosion

Police suspect alcohol distilling equipment may have caused an explosion in a top-floor apartment in Vaasa’s Ristinummi district, Yle reports. The apartment’s resident was seriously injured, and the fire that followed was quickly extinguished.

Police are investigating the case as negligent endangerment and an alcohol offence.

Tauno Tulev, who lives in a neighbouring building, said he was at the scene during the night. He did not hear the explosion but heard the fire brigade arrive. By the time he went outside, the flames had gone, but the courtyard was covered with shards of window glass.

Hilkka Montonen, who has lived in the district for about 20 years, said the area had generally been peaceful, although unpleasant incidents occurred from time to time.

“Let’s say this did not come as a complete surprise,” she said.

Montonen did not wake up when the explosion happened, but her daughter was awake and heard it. She said windows had rattled even at their home, several hundred metres away.

“It was apparently not a small bang,” she said.

Montonen said she knew her neighbours and was not afraid that a similar incident would happen in the apartment next door.

Postman Kari Ojanpää said the scene looked harsh when he arrived. Retired resident Esko Hämeenniemi said the available information did not yet change his view of the area’s safety, although he had also suspected that something stronger than alcohol might have been distilled in the apartment.

Ristinummi has also been in the news this summer after a child was assaulted in the courtyard of Variska school.