Two elderly residents died in an apartment fire in Oslo's Bjølsen neighborhood on Sunday. Firefighters pulled two unconscious people from the burning building.
Emergency workers performed life-saving first aid, but both individuals unfortunately passed away, according to police officials.
The victims were a man in his late 70s and a woman in her late 60s, according to operational leaders.
Passersby alerted authorities after hearing fire alarms and seeing black smoke. Firefighters quickly located the correct apartment and sent in smoke divers who rescued the two residents.
Police stated they currently don't know the cause of the fire. Officials noted they responded quickly but couldn't determine how long the fire had been smoldering before detection.
An investigation will begin to determine the fire's origin. Fire services confirmed they have full control of the scene.
The response included multiple fire trucks, police vehicles, and ambulances. A drone was also deployed for aerial assessment.
Fire crews prioritized life-saving searches for occupants. The building is an older apartment structure common in Oslo's residential neighborhoods.
A neighbor expressed being deeply shaken by the incident. She mentioned walking past the building just before the alarm sounded and noticing nothing unusual - no smell, no smoke, with children playing outside normally.
Residents reported hearing the smoke alarm and neighbors calling emergency services. Firefighters arrived with breathing apparatus ready.
The neighbor emphasized protecting her child from the trauma and expressed gratitude for Norway's emergency response systems. Her thoughts went out to the victims' families.
This tragic fire highlights the vulnerability of older residential buildings and the importance of functional smoke alarms in preventing casualties.