Police suspect arson in Tampere parking garage fire

Police suspect one person of deliberately starting a fire in a parking garage in Härmälä, Tampere, Yle reports. The investigation is being conducted under the suspected offence of aggravated criminal mischief.

Emergency services were alerted to the fire at a housing company’s garage on Hissikatu shortly before midnight on Thursday. Police say their preliminary investigation indicates that the fire was started intentionally.

The fire caused significant damage to the property and several parked cars. Three of the 32 cars in the garage are considered beyond repair, according to an insurance company. Smoke also damaged the building’s stairwells. No one was injured.

Police say the suspected perpetrator left the scene at about 11.30pm. No one has been arrested. Investigators are seeking witness accounts from Härmälä, particularly around Hissikatu, including sightings earlier in the evening of anyone whose behaviour stood out. Police have not given a more detailed description of the person they suspect, saying it could affect witnesses’ recollections.

Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby apartment buildings and ventilated the garage.