Crown Prince Haakon visits Drammen after devastating fire

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway visited Drammen after a devastating fire which destroyed more than 100 homes.

The Crown Prince received a briefing on the firefighting efforts and was given a view of the damage from a helicopter.

Afterwards, Crown Prince Haakon visited the evacuation and relatives’ centre, where he was able to meet with the evacuated families, volunteers and municipal representatives. Around 400 people were evacuated from the area. The centre provided food, clothing and support to those affected.

Crown Prince Haakon said, “I understand that this is an incredibly difficult situation. We all see and understand that this is dramatic. I hope they feel that they are not alone, because there are many people who feel for them and who would very much like to contribute. We also see how the local community stands up and how people help each other. All the volunteers who have contributed. Shops that open even though they are actually closed, people who come with food and drink. That is some of the power of the local community. It is impressive. This is Norway at its best. If something dramatic happens, we stand up.”

The fire is now the largest residential fire in modern Norwegian history. It began in a townhouse in the city of Drammen on Friday afternoon. It quickly spread through the area and into the nearby forest. No residents have been reported missing, and it is not yet clear what caused the fire.

 

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Eight-year-old Storm told Norwegian broadcaster NRK, “I looked out the window and saw that there was a lot of smoke. Someone was talking about a fire, and I was terrified. I didn’t sleep last night, and I remember everything that happened. That will never leave my mind.”

Drammen is roughly 34 kilometres (21 miles) southwest of Oslo.