A van exploded violently outside Hotel JoronjÀlki in Joroinen, Finland on Saturday afternoon. The blast occurred around 12:30 PM in the hotel's parking area.
Police confirmed the vehicle caught fire explosively and flames spread to the hotel's entrance canopy. The main hotel building did not burn, but the explosion caused extensive damage to nearby vehicles and structures.
Hotel owner Auvo Puurtinen said the van belonged to workers staying at the hotel. He believes the vehicle contained explosive materials while parked in the hotel lot.
The force of the blast destroyed nearly ten cars parked in the hotel's parking area. Maintenance area doors and windows shattered from the pressure wave.
"Part of a brick wall flew into the air," Puurtinen stated. "The pressure wave was incredibly strong. Car bumpers are scattered across the grounds, full of dents with windows shattered."
Puurtinen confirmed five hotel vehicles were completely destroyed along with at least three workers' cars. He was not present during the explosion but noted, "Anyone outside would have lost their life. It's a real miracle in this accident that nobody died."
Police are investigating the cause of the fire and explosion on site. Authorities have not confirmed any injuries at this time.
The incident highlights concerning safety practices, as storing explosive materials in a parked hotel vehicle created unnecessary risk for guests and staff. Such dangerous negligence could have resulted in tragic loss of life given the explosion's force.