Suspected Arson Ignites Two Small Brush Fires in Tahmela, Near Pyynikki
Two small brush fires suspected to be arson burned only a few square metres in Tahmela near Pyynikki on Tuesday; crews extinguished both quickly and investigators suspect deliberate ignition.
Only about five square metres of ground burned after a brush fire erupted in Tahmela on Tuesday. According to Pirkanmaa Rescue Department, the alert was received at 14:06. YLE reporter Juha Kokkala described the blaze as a medium-sized brush fire on Töyräskatu in the Ansiokallio area, where eight rescue units were quickly deployed to bring it under control.
According to Aamulehti, several engines were still on site around 14:30, and multiple trucks left for other duties about 14:40 as crews wrapped up the operation.
Fire chief Pekka Loponen told investigators he suspects the ignition was deliberate. Crews then moved roughly half a kilometre to the intersection of Tahmelantie and Pispalanharju to extinguish a second small fire Loponen also described as suspicious.
The incident is among several recent brush and grass fires in Pirkanmaa, as Aamulehti notes, with officials in past cases blaming human activity such as people burning waste. It follows a May trash-shelter blaze in Tampere that firefighters put out quickly earlier this year.
Earlier coverage
Catch the full story over at Aamulehti
Image Attribution
Artist: Erkko Vuorensola from Tampere, Finland
License: CC BY 2.0
Source: Wikimedia Commons
