Passenger car catches fire outside Lidl in Hanko
A passenger car burst into flames outside a Lidl store in Hanko on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a swift response from emergency services and bystanders. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in front of the store on Esplanadi, though the fire did not spread to the building itself.
Iltalehti reports that the fire was extinguished by bystanders before the arrival of the fire brigade. Simo Kaplas, one of the first to assist, described the driver as unresponsive when he attempted to help. After the car became stuck on cobblestones, Kaplas called emergency services. The situation escalated when the vehicle began smoking before erupting into flames. A second bystander helped remove the driver from the car, while others retrieved a handheld fire extinguisher from inside the store.
Dahlia Lehtimäki, who was present at the scene, praised the collective effort of those involved. "A lot of people were helping there," she said. Virva Patomo, another witness, recounted how a Lidl employee calmly instructed customers to evacuate the store as the fire intensified. "He acted very calmly. There was no panic at all," Patomo noted, adding that bystanders maintained a safe distance, allowing emergency crews to work without obstruction.
The West Uusimaa Rescue Department confirmed receiving the alert at 14:07 and dispatched eight units to the scene. Ilta-Sanomat reports that rescue personnel, alongside bystanders, prevented the flames from reaching the commercial building. One individual exposed to smoke was transported by ambulance for further treatment.
An Ilta-Sanomat reader who passed the scene shortly after 2 p.m. described the fire as intense, with the car’s front engulfed in flames and the vehicle appearing to rest against a pillar. "It looked quite dramatic. Maybe someone had driven into the pole," the reader speculated, questioning the speed of the driver in a parking area.
Lidl’s communications confirmed that the store was temporarily closed following the incident but stated that no major damage occurred to the building. "We aim to reopen it as soon as possible," said Jasmin Levo from Lidl’s communications (Iltalehti). Police were also present, directing traffic in the area.
