Body found in Kuopio garage fire as police suspect arson

One person died in a garage fire in Pihkainmäki, Kuopio, and police suspect the blaze was started deliberately, Yle reports.

The fire destroyed the garage and a neighbouring motorhome. Emergency services received the alarm at 3:59 a.m. on Tuesday, by which time the fire had spread throughout the garage and to the motorhome.

When rescuers arrived, the main building was filled with smoke but there were no actual flames inside. During firefighting operations, they found a passenger car in the garage with a body inside.

Police conducted preliminary investigations at the scene and found indications that the fires had probably been deliberately started. An attempt had also been made to set the main building on fire.

Police are working to identify the deceased and are investigating the fire as suspected arson and as a death investigation.

Pihkainmäki is located about 25 kilometres west of central Kuopio.