Aureskoski wood processing factory in Parkano, Finland, experienced a large fire early Wednesday morning, which triggered an emergency response featuring over 20 fire rescue vehicles. The fire reportedly started from woodworking equipment and spread to the roof structure of the building, which spans approximately 2,500 square meters. Local authorities are intensively working on extinguishing efforts while assessing the extent of the damage.

Tuomo Alanko, the factory's production manager, explained to Iltalehti that the fire began when a hydraulic hose in the planing shop broke, leading to a small blaze. Due to suction effects, the fire likely spread to the ceiling areas. Thankfully, at the time of the incident, 21 employees were present in the factory, but they all managed to evacuate safely without injury. Emergency services have confirmed that there were no casualties reported during the incident, providing some relief amid the chaos.

Despite initial assessments suggesting that the situation might result in minimal damage, the fire's rapid spread has raised concerns among the fire department. Alanko expressed hope earlier on for limited damage, but the fire’s extensive spread has prompted a more thorough evaluation of the factory's current condition and the potential impact on operations in the near future, as the situation continues to unfold.