Evacuate several houses – NRK Vestland

At 09.32 the police tweeted that the fire brigade are in control of the blaze, which was reported at 08.37.

Shift Commander Stian Kvam at 110 Central confirms to NRK that the fire is under control.

– We are in control and will continue with the extinction. About 1,000 square meters burned down, Kvam says.

Fortunately the flames did not reach any of the many nearby homes.

Previously, firefighters told NRK that there was no danger of it spreading to homes, but that could change. Now they have gained control.

I suspect hot ash

IUnit chief Kurt Inge Hordvik in the police says their main guess is that hot ashes started the fire. They are investigating the case and say a person faces a fine for starting the fire.

– Anyone can place the ashes, but they must not be placed near combustible material. We see that it is dry around us, says Hordvik.

He says he was only a few feet from the flames to the nearest house, but that the direction of the wind blew the flames away from the houses.

– It was probably dramatic for those who lived here. Fortunately, the fire went in the right direction, says the emergency manager.

Dry grass

It was dry, old grass that was burning, according to firefighters.

Shift Commander Stian Kvam at 110 Central said just after 9 that there were crews from three stations on duty. At that point the situation was not under control and the firefighters worked to put out the flames.

At this point they did not pose a danger to residential buildings, but the watch commander stressed that there is always a danger that the wind could turn.

The Western Police Precinct said several homes were evacuated, and residents of one home evacuated themselves. Six homes and seven people were evacuated.

No damage to people or buildings has been reported.

– Burned well

Jan-Helge Lavik is one of the closest neighbors to the grass fire. He saw the fire when he came home after dropping the kids off at daycare.

– It burned very well in the ground, he tells NRK.

The Swedish Road Traffic Center has reported that county road 5486 Toskaveien may be closed at short notice due to the fire, but the road is now open as normal.