Fire destroys entrepreneur’s life’s work as support pours in

A fire destroyed a business building in Lahela, Tuusula, on Wednesday morning, wiping out wellness entrepreneur Kaisa Hankilanoja’s premises and equipment. No one was injured, Yle reported.

Hankilanoja runs Lymfatassut, a wellness business offering services including massage, yoga and lymphatic treatments. She said the business, founded in 2018, was her life’s work and a place that felt as homely as her own home.

Several other small businesses also operated in the building, including beauty and wellness businesses, a rescue-dog operation and a car repair shop. Hankilanoja described the businesses as a community, adding that the fire affected many people and their livelihoods.

She estimates that she lost business property worth tens of thousands of euros. But she said the financial loss mattered less than being able to continue working. Finding new premises suited to Lymfatassut may be difficult, she said.

Customers, friends and strangers have offered help. One person even offered the bedroom of their two-room apartment as a temporary business space. Hankilanoja said she planned to begin looking for new premises on Thursday.

She said she was relieved that nobody had been hurt and remained determined to rebuild her business.