Fire engulfs barn in Kurikka, South Ostrobothnia, resulting in loss of cattle

A barn fire that broke out in Kurikka, South Ostrobothnia, last Wednesday is believed to have been caused by the barn’s exhaust fan or its electrical connections. The blaze resulted in the loss of 26 cattle, while around 40 others had to be euthanized. The exhaust fan is located in a duct leading outside the barn.

According to Matti Hietalahti, the chief fire inspector for South Ostrobothnia, the fire ignited in the ceiling space, where it was able to spread undetected. It then spread to the adjoining barn in the direction of the wind. The fire intensified in a subsequent room filled with combustible materials, such as straw and oxygen, causing it to rapidly extend to different areas of the barn.

Authorities, including police and the fire department, conducted an investigation on-site. Hietalahti noted that the investigation had its challenges due to extensive damage around the area, complicating their efforts. Interviews were conducted with onsite workers, the owner, and rescue personnel, while surveillance camera footage and wind direction were also utilized to determine the cause.

Investigators explored possible ignition sources and ways the fire might have started, though there was no footage from the specific ignition point. Hietalahti described the investigation as a mix of fact-finding, elimination of possibilities, and technical examination.

The risk of the fire spreading was significant since the adjacent barn was located just three meters away, with several other production buildings nearby. The large barn was completely destroyed in the fire, estimated to be around 1,700 square meters. The owner, Teemu Kulmala, is a well-known agricultural entrepreneur in the region and is currently participating in a local reality TV program.