The Briefing
- Five family members died in Vantaa fire
- Police arrested one suspect for suspected crime
- Fifty-seven residents were evacuated from the building
Police in Vantaa have launched a criminal investigation after five members of a Somali family died in a massive apartment fire early Tuesday morning.
Authorities suspect the blaze was intentional and have already taken one individual into custody.
The fire broke out in the Pähkinärinne district of Vantaa. Emergency services received the first calls for help at 5:41 AM.
The victims include two children and three adults from the same household. One child was of school age, while the other attended daycare, according to YLE.
An infant from the same family survived the fire, reports Iltalehti. Reportedly, the baby is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The Itä-Uusimaa police are treating the case as a serious crime. Investigators believe the fire may have been set deliberately.
Fires with this many casualties are very unusual in Finnish residential areas.
One arrest so far
A suspect was arrested shortly after the incident took place. Police have sealed off the area to collect evidence.
Damage to the building is extensive, particularly on the second floor where the fire was most intense. Upper floors also suffered significant smoke and heat damage.
According to local media, rescue workers evacuated 57 other people from the building during the emergency. Many residents were moved to temporary shelter.
The Safety Investigation Authority, known as OTKES, has started a detailed probe into the cause of the disaster.
Fires with this many casualties are very unusual in Finnish residential areas. Finland usually records fewer than 50 fire-related deaths per year across the entire country.
Vantaa is home to a large international community. Nearly 25 percent of residents in the city speak a language other than Finnish or Swedish as their mother tongue.
The local Somali community has expressed deep shock over the loss of life. Support services are being offered to those affected by the tragedy.
