Fifteen people evacuated safely from a burning townhouse in Oslo's Bestum neighborhood. The fire started in a basement sauna and spread quickly through the building.
Police received the emergency call at 8:15 PM and responded immediately. All residents escaped the burning building early. No injuries were reported despite the dangerous situation.
Fire crews faced challenges reaching the basement blaze. The staircase had burned away, preventing direct access to the fire's origin. Officials worked to find alternative entry points.
The incident commander described the scene upon arrival. "We saw full flames coming through the roof," he said. "The firefighting has been effective and we've partially contained the blaze on the first and second floors."
Firefighters eventually controlled the situation about an hour after the initial response. Smoke divers reached the basement and confirmed the fire was extinguished.
The building contained four residential units. Officials initially feared the fire might spread to neighboring homes. Crews worked to protect adjacent properties throughout the operation.
Basement saunas are common in Norwegian homes, particularly in older buildings. This fire demonstrates how quickly such amenities can become hazards when proper safety measures aren't maintained. The incident serves as a reminder that even familiar household features require regular inspection and maintenance.