A garage fire spread to a nearby house in Øygarden municipality, forcing residents to evacuate. The blaze started in a garage containing two electric cars and quickly grew out of control.
Emergency services received the alarm at 5:02 PM and dispatched crews from multiple stations. Police confirmed three residents - two adults and one child - were safely evacuated without injuries.
Homeowner Einar Ruud described discovering thick black smoke and immediately alerting his family. "We ran out with our son," Ruud said. He attempted to fight the flames himself but found the heat too intense.
"It became far too hot," Ruud explained. He then warned neighbors as the garage became fully engulfed.
When asked about his current state, Ruud called the situation "completely indescribable." He noted the surreal experience of losing one's home but emphasized that family photographs rescued by firefighters mattered most.
Fire officials reported the house sustained partial total damage. Crews managed to save valuable items and preserve about half the structure through pressurized firefighting techniques.
Authorities removed gas cylinders from the property as a precaution. Nearby residents were advised to close windows and ventilation systems due to hazardous smoke from the electric vehicle batteries.
Fire department incident commander Jørn Davidsen stated the blaze wasn't yet under full control. "The batteries must be considered unstable for some time," Davidsen cautioned.
One neighboring property was evacuated during the operation. The incident highlights the particular challenges electric vehicle fires present to emergency responders.
While the family lost their home, their focus remains on what truly matters - their safety and irreplaceable family memories.