Large fire in an apartment building on Svalbard – NRK Troms and Finnmark

According to the Governor of Svalbard, the fire service has gained control of the fire. More people must be evacuated, also from nearby buildings.

– As of now, we have no one has been reported missing to us. There are 55 people who have been evacuated, says Assistant Mayor, Sølvi Elvedahl to NRK just before 08:00.

– We have received reports that two people have suffered minor smoke damage.

The mayor asks that no one drive or walk in the area.

– The fire service is working to secure the site and keep the fire under control. We still don’t know how the fire started, and want to get in touch with witnesses, says Elvedahl.

– We have the resources to handle everything initially, then we have to assess over time whether we need assistance from the mainland.

By 05:00, the fire service had no control over the fire.

– There are a total of 12 housing units that are affected, says communications advisor at the Mayor Terje Carlsen to VG.

Was woken up by the fire alarm

Felicia Øystå is a neighbor of the building where the fire broke out. She and her family were awakened by the fire alarm.

– We noticed very quickly that it was serious. There was a smell of smoke, and when we looked out we saw that the neighboring building was fully engulfed in flames, she tells NRK.

Øystå describes some dramatic minutes in the morning.

– When we went down the stairs, we were greeted with embers. It was an estimate of panic, she says.

According to Øystå, the building has completely burned down.

– There is only stickwood left.

The Governor asks people who have photos or video footage from the fire scene in an early phase to contact the Governor on the emergency number 79 02 12 22.

– We are also asking any witnesses to contact us on the same telephone number, says Chief Administrative Officer Stein Olav Bredli in a press release.

An evacuation center has been set up

The residents of the apartment building and nearby houses have been evacuated to the Radisson hotel in Longyearbyen, where Longyearbyen local council has set up an evacuation centre.

– We feel well looked after, but it is clear that it was dramatic. There are a lot of emotions going on, so I wouldn’t say that the atmosphere is good here. But it’s going well, says Øystå, who is one of the evacuees.

The building is located in road 228.

The report about the fire came at around 03.30 on Monday night.