Fire destroys historic building in Pori, police investigate suspected arson

A massive wooden structure near Porin’s city center was destroyed by a fire along the Kokemäenjoki River in mid-August. The 2,500-square-meter building was left in ruins following the intense blaze.

In the aftermath, authorities isolated the site, and the police began investigating the cause of the fire. Currently, the investigation is classified as an aggravated vandalism case, as no natural cause for the fire has been identified, raising suspicions of arson. The police confirmed that there have been no indications that this fire is connected to other recent incidents in Pori.

The police are seeking tips from the public regarding any observations made during the fire. While some tips have been sent, they urge anyone with additional information, including sightings of individuals in the vicinity of Konepajanranta, to reach out via email at [email protected] or through WhatsApp at +358 50 411 7655. There is currently no set timeline for the investigation, but authorities report that technical, sample, and tactical investigations are progressing consistently.

The building was originally completed in 1922 as a sawmill. It later housed a house factory in the 1940s and 50s and was part of the Rosenlew combine harvester factory. For the last few decades, the structure has been abandoned yet remained a protected historical landmark within Porin’s industrial landscape.

Unfortunately, as activities ceased, the building started to decay and fell victim to vandalism.