Fire causes extensive damage in Lapua, residents told to close windows

A large fire has caused extensive damage in Lapua, Yle reports. Firefighters are carrying out final extinguishing work, while a hazard warning advises local residents to close their windows and turn off ventilation.

The fire broke out early on Wednesday morning on Kuortaneentie in Lapua. Firefighters are extinguishing a pile of fertiliser and peat that is producing smoke.

The South Ostrobothnia rescue department received the alert shortly before 4.30am. When crews arrived, part of a hall building was fully ablaze, said Juha Turkulainen, the rescue department’s duty commander.

No people or animals were injured. More than 10 rescue service units were sent to the scene.

Machinery, an old lorry, a tractor and large quantities of stored grain were destroyed or damaged. Peat and wood chips were also still burning at the site in the morning.

The final extinguishing work is expected to continue at least until midday, although the fire has been brought under control and the area is being cleared, the duty fire officer said.

Grain stored in a silo and a drying facility was destroyed and rendered unusable. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Turkulainen said the fire had spread across a wide area by the time it was detected.