Helsinki police suspect arson in Käpylä residential fire

Police in Helsinki are investigating a suspected arson after a fire destroyed a wooden house in the Käpylä district on Thursday, leaving one person injured and the building uninhabitable, Yle reports.

Emergency services responded to the blaze on Peltolantie at 12:53 PM on Thursday after receiving reports of a structural fire. The Helsinki Rescue Department issued a hazard warning due to smoke spreading through the area, while firefighting operations disrupted tram traffic along Pohjolankatu.

One individual sustained injuries in the fire. Authorities confirmed the wooden residential building was rendered unfit for occupancy.

Preliminary findings suggest the fire was started by a lit cigarette left on the building’s porch. Police have opened an investigation into endangering public safety and identified one suspect in connection with the incident.

“Our current understanding is that a burning cigarette was left on the porch, igniting the fire,” said Detective Inspector Jari Korkalainen.

The investigation continues with witness interviews and forensic analysis.