Police say Jyväskylä fire victim did not know suspect

The man who died in a suspected arson at an apartment building in Jyväskylä did not know the woman suspected of starting the fire, police say. Yle reports that the fire broke out on Hämeenkatu on 20 October.

The victim, a resident of the building who was around 30, tried to escape through the stairwell and died. Police say he was an innocent bystander. The suspect is also around 30. Police investigator Heidi Miettinen declined to say whether the woman had been detained or questioned.

The building has 48 apartments and one stairwell, which was damaged by smoke and heat. The fire also damaged the ventilation and lighting, and the stairwell is not currently safe. Residents may have to wait up to six months before returning home, according to property manager Hanna Reponen.

Residents have been offered an opportunity this week to collect belongings from their homes. The building’s insurance covers damage to its structure and technical systems. Reponen said home insurance may cover damaged personal belongings and accommodation costs during the evacuation.