Police have confirmed they have control of four men following a major fire in a three-story building in Stjørdal city center. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, led to a massive emergency response and the evacuation of several nearby buildings.
Investigation Breakthrough
Politifaglig etterforskningsleder Ellen Mari Burheim has announced a breakthrough in the investigation. There is currently a suspicion that the fire was caused by the use of open fire on the roof of the building.
Authorities have secured surveillance camera footage from the surrounding area to assist in the case. Police are now working to describe the exact sequence of events that led to the blaze.
The Emergency Response
The police first received reports of the fire at 15:46. Initial reports from operations leader Einar Røstum indicated open flames coming from a roof terrace, and police later described the situation as “full overtenning” (full ignition) of the three-story structure.
Police incident leader Thor Inge Oxholm Aas stated that the fire was “very explosive” and visible across the entire city center. He noted that authorities “pressed the big red button” regarding resource deployment due to the building’s location, and state.
Control of the fire was officially established by 17:00. After a full search of the building, emergency services confirmed that no persons were left inside.
Human Impact and Evacuations
The building, owned by Joakim Lund of Lord eiendom, houses four or five commercial entities and several apartments on the top floor. Thirteen people resided on the third floor, all of whom have been accounted for.
One resident, 33-year-old Greta Myran, recounted being in the shower when her brother called to warn her. She described finding smoke in the hallway and being “completely shaken” after escaping the building.
Stjørdal municipality’s crisis management team arrived around 17:00 to assist those displaced. Municipal Director Bente Næverdal confirmed that the municipality ensured everyone had a place to sleep for the night, even as noting that long-term housing is primarily an insurance matter.
Local Business Impact
The blaze occurred near the Torgkvartalet shopping center. Driftsleder Per Helge Flønes reported that he shut down the center’s ventilation systems immediately upon discovering the fire.
Due to favorable wind direction, the shopping center remained unaffected. Police and fire services quickly cordoned off the area, allowing customers to continue shopping as normal.
Potential Next Steps
The investigation into the four men currently in police custody could lead to formal charges if the suspicion of using open fire on the roof is proven. Property owner Lord eiendom may now need to conduct a full structural assessment of the building to determine the extent of the damage.
the municipality and insurance providers will likely coordinate the long-term relocation of the residents who were forced to evacuate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for the fire?
Police have control of four men, and there is a suspicion that the fire was caused by the use of open fire on the roof. Investigation is ongoing using surveillance footage.
Were there any injuries or missing persons?
No. All 13 residents of the third floor were accounted for, and a full search of the building confirmed that no persons were found inside.
How was the nearby shopping center affected?
Torgkvartalet shopping center was not affected. The ventilation systems were shut down as a precaution, and the wind direction prevented the fire from impacting the center.
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