Ethanol vapour caused Vaasa apartment blast, police say

Yle reports that ethanol vapour released during alcohol production probably caused an explosion in an apartment building in Vaasa. One person was seriously injured.

Police completed their technical investigation into the explosion on Wednesday. It occurred around midnight in an apartment on the top floor of a three-storey apartment building on Sala-ampujankatu.

Investigators found that alcohol was being made in the apartment’s toilet and washing facilities. Ethanol vapour leaked into the apartment during the process. Because the apartment had inadequate ventilation, the highly flammable vapour probably accumulated before being ignited by a spark or another ignition source.

The blast’s pressure wave spread into the stairwell, as the apartment door leading to the stairwell was probably open when the explosion occurred. The pressure wave shattered windows and also damaged the entrance to the stairwell on the first floor.

Eleven apartments in the stairwell suffered significant damage. Two apartments in a second stairwell were also damaged.

The person living in the apartment suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, police said. No one else was hurt.

“The extensive damage caused by the explosion shows how dangerous making alcohol in an enclosed and inadequately ventilated space can be. Fortunately, no one else was injured,” investigation leader and detective chief inspector John Forslund said in a police statement.

Police are continuing to investigate the case as negligent endangerment of the public and an alcohol offence. The preliminary investigation will continue with interviews of the injured parties and the suspect when he is able to be questioned.

Police said they would provide further information as the investigation progresses.