Fire damages pipes and cables at UPM pulp mill in Pietarsaari

A fire at UPM’s pulp mill in Pietarsaari damaged pipes and cables on its fibre line, Yle reports. No one was injured, and the cause and point of origin remain unknown.

The damage is being assessed, and its full extent is expected to become clearer in the coming days, UPM pulp mill director Vesa Volmari said. An investigation began at the mill on Tuesday morning.

The fire caused a fibreglass vent pipe to collapse. The pipe, which gathers fumes from a chemical tank so they can be washed before being released into the air, melted from the heat of a fire inside it.

UPM said on Monday that the fire had particularly damaged the section of the pulp mill that handles wood chips.

The mill was already in a production shutdown when the fire broke out, and the shutdown was due to continue for several more weeks. It remains unclear whether the damage will affect the planned restart. The unit employs about 250 people, but around a third were estimated to be at work at the time because of temporary layoffs and shift arrangements.

UPM is assessing the damage and planning repairs, but has not yet estimated how long the work will take or what the financial impact may be. More information about the damage and any effect on production is expected next week.