Metal-drum bonfire ignites hay and destroys Urjala farm during wildfire warning
A metal-drum bonfire ignited dry hay and destroyed all farm buildings in Urjala on April 12; no injuries were reported and animals were evacuated, YLE says.
A metal-drum bonfire ignited dry hay and destroyed all farm buildings in Urjala on April 12, YLE reports.
Residents had been burning feed sacks, brush and branches in the drum when wind carried sparks into the hay, rescue officials said. Crews were alerted to Hakkilan rantatie at about 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. By the time several units arrived, the fire had spread to hay storage and the surrounding yard. Wind and dry conditions hampered firefighting, and the main house and other buildings were gutted to their foundations.
Because open fires are banned during a wildfire warning, the rescue department notified police. The Central Finland Police recorded the incident as a rescue offence, but lead investigator Maijastiina Tammisto has asked the prosecutor to limit charges on proportionality grounds. No one was injured; 30 sheep and three horses were evacuated to safety.
Catch the full story over at YLE
