Loppa fire and rescue reported at 14:28 via X that they were responding to a building fire. Alta fire and rescue is also responding to Loppa, reports fire chief Kjell Erik Thomassen.
– We are responding with a guard team plus a chief from Alta.
The fire is said to be near the harbor in the middle of Øksfjord. Large flames and a lot of smoke have been observed in the area.
A witness says that it is dramatic at the scene.
– There is a lot of black smoke, high flames and explosions. The building is on fire.
An emergency alert has been sent out to the residents of Øksfjord about the safety distance and where the evacuation centers are. The police report the following evacuation centers:
North side of Loppa: School at Ystnesveien 34
South side of Loppa: Sports Hall at Vassdalsveien.
Updated at 5 p.m.:
Effort leader at Alta Fire and Rescue, Kjell Erik Thomassen, informed Altaposten at 5 p.m. that the fire is under control and there is no danger of further spread.
He stated that two buildings have been lost in the fire, as well as cars and boats that have been parked around the buildings.
– We do not have a complete overview beyond this.
– It will smoke for quite a while until everything is properly extinguished. This takes time. Eventually we will open the evacuation boundaries, Thomassen tells Altaposten.
The video below was taken by Hilde Bye.
Safety zone of 1,000 meters
The police reported via the press log at 2:37 p.m. that a safety distance of 500 meters has been established. This was increased to 1,000 meters a few minutes later. At 5:15 p.m., the safety distance was adjusted down to 300 meters.
– This means that the public must retreat at least 1,000 meters away from the fire. People are asked to keep their distance and keep their windows closed.
Altaposten has been in contact with Loppa mayor Cato Kristiansen. He does not have the time and opportunity to comment on the fire at this time.
Municipal Director Inger Elisabeth Tvedt informs Altaposten that emergency services are in control, as far as is possible at the scene. She also informs that a crisis team has been set up. She is now on her way to Øksfjord.
She is not aware of any injuries as a result of the fire.
– We have initiated a full evacuation of people living around the gas station. We have called in assistance from Kvænangen, and we are looking into the possibility of assistance from sea. There is a full evacuation from the area. Enormous explosion risk, according to Tvedt.
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration reports via its own pages that Fv. 882 is closed as a result of the fire in central Øksfjord.
Water supply problems
Operations leader fire in Loppa, Rune Bye tells Altaposten at 15.17 that they have water supply problems at the site.
– We have shut down Polarfeed and the fish farm to get more water. The situation at the site is that the fire is still burning heavily. We do not have complete control. We are trying to preserve the building as much as possible. The garage itself has burned down. We are trying to save the neighboring building.
Area coordinator in Loppa fire and rescue, Rune Bye. Photo: private
The neighboring building houses, among other things, a shop and offices.
– Is there a risk of further spread?
– The fire can spread to the shop and to neighboring houses. The buildings on the upper side of the fire are still relatively safe. We are working on it.
The police say that they have a drone on its way to the site. They want no one else to fly drones in the area.
The rescue company has the rescue boat “Gjert Wilhelmsen” on the way to the scene to assist in the fire.
Evacuation completed
Municipal Manager for Health and Care, Tone Hilde Birkelund, tells VG that everyone should be evacuated.
She is referring to the Loppa nursing home and a suitable residence quite close to the gas station.
- Everyone is working hard to evacuate and take care of the elderly and others. The store is closed and we do not have access to goods, but everyone is helping each other – it is a real joint effort.
Rune Martinsen Løkken.
Among the evacuees is Rune Martinsen Løkken, who runs the Støa café and restaurant, a few meters from the fire scene.
- It is dramatic, he says on the phone with VG.
- Everyone has been evacuated. Both factories and others. It is very professional, says Løkken, who praises the firefighters.
- I was sitting in my office and then suddenly I was chased out. I was in the middle of a phone call and now I’m on my way to the end of the village, he tells VG.
The Minister of Justice is being kept informed
Minister of Justice and Emergency Situations Astri Aas-Hansen comments on the Øksfjord fire on Thursday evening:
- I am being kept informed about the fire in Øksfjord. The municipality now describes the situation as stable, and the fire department reports that they have controlled the risk of spreading. The Civil Defense is on site with a crew of 24 people, and has 25 people on standby. They will help extinguish and prevent the fire from spreading, in addition to providing food for the crews.
And further:
The village has been evacuated, and I understand that is frightening for the residents. It is good to hear that the local community has stood up for those who have been evacuated.
