Fire Engulfs Viljandi Apartment Building After Gas Cylinder Explosion
A four-storey apartment building in Viljandi, Estonia, caught fire on Friday evening following a gas cylinder explosion on one of the balconies. Rescuers worked tirelessly throughout the night to contain and extinguish the fire, which caused significant damage to the building.
According to preliminary information provided by Rescue Board spokesperson Henrik Veenpere, the explosion occurred on the upper floor balcony, leading to the evacuation of residents from both the affected building and the adjacent one. Thankfully, there were no reports of serious injuries.
Due to the extensive damage, the police have determined that residents will not be able to enter the building for the next few days. Alternative accommodations have been arranged at the Mannimae guest house, with rooms available for those in need. Pets are also welcome at the guest house.
Meelis Lill, head of proceedings at the Viljandi police station, emphasized the dangerous condition of the building and urged people to refrain from entering. The structure suffered damage from both the fire and the water used to extinguish it. To assist the affected residents, a Viljandi County bus was made available for them to keep warm, and transportation to the accommodations was provided. However, many residents found alternative lodging with relatives or friends.
The fire broke out around 7 p.m. on Friday, accompanied by a series of loud explosions. Witnesses reported seeing a large red object flying through the air, followed by flames reaching into the sky. The rapid spread of the fire was facilitated by the wooden structure underneath the building’s gable roof. By the time firefighters arrived, the building was engulfed in flames.
Complicating the rescue efforts was the absence of a ladder truck in Viljandi County, resulting in a delay before the required vehicle arrived from Tartu. Firefighters focused their initial efforts on preventing the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings, managing to successfully protect two large residential structures connected to the building in flames.
Paramedics treated a few individuals at the scene who required supplemental oxygen and later transported them to the hospital for further examination. Fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.
Fire brigades from Viljandi, Suure-Jaani, Mustla, Kopu, and Annelinn were involved in extinguishing the fire. Once the flames were finally brought under control, a security company remained at the site to ensure the safety of the building.
Rescuers are set to assess the apartment building’s safety on Saturday morning to determine when residents can return. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures and the need for adequate resources to respond efficiently in emergency situations.
