Drammen Fire Destroys 100 Homes as 400 Evacuate and Crews Contain Residential Spread
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Jul 18
Drammen Fire Destroys 100 Homes as 400 Evacuate and Crews Contain Residential Spread
3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Jul 18
Summary
100 homes were destroyed on Drammen’s outskirts after a blaze that began in one townhouse on Friday tore through a neighborhood and was mostly contained in residential areas by Saturday.
Strong winds and exceptionally dry conditions drove the fire toward nearby forests, where firefighters still had not gained control by Saturday lunchtime.
More than 400 people were evacuated, firefighters from several districts worked through the night, and helicopters were deployed to help suppress the blaze.
No deaths were reported, but one firefighter was slightly injured and several people were treated for smoke inhalation.
Local media called it Norway’s biggest fire in more than a century, while officials said the cause of the initial blaze remains unknown.