Police: Haugesund Fatal Fire Likely Technical Failure or Open Flame

A fatal apartment fire in Haugesund began in the living room of a unit before there was a risk of it spreading, according to police investigations. The blaze resulted in the death of a man, while a man in his 30s previously detained in connection with the incident was released from custody.

Investigation Points to Technical Causes or Open Flames

Emergency services responded to the multi-family residential building around 2:00 AM following reports of an active fire. Operations Director Olaug Bjørnsen of the Sør-Vest Police District stated at the time that there was full fire inside a second-floor apartment with a risk of spreading to neighboring units. Ten individuals were successfully evacuated from the complex, and the municipality arranged temporary housing.

Investigators examining the scorched interior determined the origin point was the living room of the affected apartment. Police Prosecutor Mohammad Ali Khan stated in a press release that the fire most likely stemmed from a technical failure or the use of an open flame, such as smoking materials or a burning candle. Consequently, the initial hypothesis that a criminal act caused the fire has been significantly weakened.

Suspect Released After Investigators Review Evidence

A man in his 30s was initially arrested around 4:30 AM on the night of the fire and subsequently charged with gross generation of danger to the general public. Defense attorney Ben-Einar Grindhaug maintained his client’s innocence from the outset. Grindhaug stated that his client asserted he had nothing to do with the fire and had not been present at the address for several days. Police officially released the man from custody on the evening of October 24, though he technically remains under suspicion while the inquiry continues.

Police initially reported that the deceased victim was in his 30s before issuing a correction clarifying that the man who lost his life was in his 40s. Investigators conducted several witness interviews at the scene during the morning hours following the disaster.