Fire in Viitasaari apartment building under investigation as suspected arson
A fire broke out in the stairwell of a two-story apartment building on Haapaniemi Road in Viitasaari on Friday evening, leading to the evacuation of residents and significant damage to the property. Authorities are treating the incident as suspected arson.
The Central Finland Rescue Department confirmed that 20 people were evacuated from the building, though no injuries were reported. While the fire was extinguished, the stairwell suffered severe damage, and smoke spread to multiple apartments, rendering some uninhabitable. MTV Uutiset reports that some residents will require temporary accommodation due to the extent of the damage.
Police are investigating the fire as aggravated vandalism, a charge that carries a potential prison sentence of two to ten years if convicted. According to Ilta-Sanomat, the classification requires that the act posed a serious danger to the life or health of a large number of people. At the time of the incident, at least 16 people were inside the building.
Authorities are seeking information about a light-colored Volvo V70 seen parked at Haapaniemi Road 15 during the fire. Two individuals exited the vehicle: one described as a long-haired man in a light-colored t-shirt, and the other as a man in dark clothing with light patterns. Both are approximately 180 centimeters tall.
The Central Finland Police Department requests that any witnesses contact them via email at vihjeet.sisa-suomi@poliisi.fi, with the subject line "Viitasaari fire 10.7.2026".