Tragic fire in hostel in Äkäslompolo, Finland

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Hostel fire in Äkäslompolo claims lives

At least two people have died in a hostel fire in Äkäslompolo and one person is still missing. Police are continuing the investigation, questioning overnight guests and staff.

The two-storey hostel building was completely destroyed on Tuesday night, 12.02.2024. Two bodies were found in the rubble, one of the deceased being a Finnish woman. One person is still missing.

Around 30 travelers evacuated the hostel on their own, and according to the police, they were not in any immediate danger. Most of the evacuees were European tourists, including people from Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and four Finns. The hostel had a total of 36 beds.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and investigations have begun. The police cannot yet confirm whether a crime has been committed. The Accident Investigation Board (Otkes) has also launched an investigation.

The building, once the Ylläskartano from the 1960s, was rented out by Suomen Latu to the Silver Fox Hostel. The wooden hostel was located on a hill. Firefighting work led to frozen water runoff on the road "Lompolontie". The hostel was classified as completely destroyed in the latest update.

More on the fire at the Silver Fox Hostel in Äkäslompolo (in Finnish).

Header: © Risto Koskinen / Yle