A serious fire broke out in a historic wooden apartment building in central Tønsberg on Monday evening. Firefighters continue battling the blaze as authorities evacuate residents from the endangered structure. One person has been transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.
Emergency services received the initial alarm around 8:30 PM local time. The fire started in a second-floor apartment of the wooden building located on Storgaten, one of Tønsberg's main streets. Fire crews immediately began evacuation efforts while working to contain the flames.
At least five to six fire trucks responded to the emergency call. Firefighters are using smoke divers to navigate the burning building. Police are managing evacuated residents and have begun preliminary investigation steps.
An operations leader confirmed the challenging situation. "Firefighters are working on extinguishing the blaze and have entered with smoke divers," officials said in a statement. "Police are caring for evacuated residents and have started initial investigation procedures. One person has been taken to the hospital with unknown injury extent."
Authorities have asked people with vehicles parked near the fire scene to move them immediately. The request suggests concerns about the fire spreading or creating additional safety hazards in the densely built urban area.
The building contains approximately 20 registered residents. Police cannot confirm whether everyone has safely exited the structure. Emergency personnel continue working to account for all occupants.
Around 9:50 PM, emergency coordinators expressed serious concerns about fire spread. "The latest update ten minutes ago indicates they are still engaged and do not have control," a dispatch supervisor reported. "They are working to prevent spread to other parts of the building."
This incident highlights the particular fire risks associated with Norway's historic wooden architecture. Tønsberg, as Norway's oldest city, contains numerous protected wooden buildings that present unique challenges for fire safety. The dense urban construction in central areas creates additional risks of fire spreading between structures.
Norwegian building codes have evolved significantly to address fire safety in wooden structures, but historic buildings often operate under different regulations. This balance between preservation and safety continues to challenge municipalities across Norway.
For international readers, it's important to understand that Norwegian emergency response operates through a coordinated system where police manage evacuations and crowd control while fire services focus on containment and rescue operations. The hospital system provides universal healthcare coverage, meaning all residents receive medical care regardless of insurance status.
The coming hours will be critical for determining the full extent of damage and whether the historic building can be saved. Fire investigators will work to determine the cause once the blaze is fully contained.