Owner warns of dangerous conditions inside fire-damaged Toppstöðin

The condition of Toppstöðin, a building in Reykjavík’s Elliðaárdalur valley, is serious after a fire, and people are being warned not to enter, mbl.is reports. Brynjólfur Þorkell Brynjólfsson, managing director of Eignabyggð, which holds a controlling stake in the property, said the building posed clear safety risks.

He issued the warning after reports that people had broken into the property both before and after Monday’s fire. Reykjavík’s Environmental Health Authority assessed the interior as being in serious condition when Brynjólfur inspected it on Thursday with the authority and the insurance company.

The fire was largely confined to a coal storage area on the lowest floor, which was destroyed. A fire compartment inside the storage area, sealed with asbestos, helped prevent the fire from consuming the rest of the building.

However, the asbestos panels were badly damaged. Their fastenings have come loose, with some panels falling down, and the intermediate floor has become significantly weaker and could give way.

Brynjólfur wore a mask and protective clothing during the inspection. He said asbestos was present inside the building and warned parents that it was no place for children because inhaling asbestos was dangerous.

He also said homeless people had entered the building over time. Police had found people inside, and teenagers had posted photographs of themselves in the property.

Aside from the destroyed coal storage area and soot spread throughout the building, Brynjólfur said the property was relatively intact. Eignabyggð has been discussing possible uses for the building with Reykjavík City, but those plans are currently on hold.