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Suspected Molotov cocktail used in Helsinki apartment blaze, police say

Police suspect a fire that destroyed a flat in Helsinki Monday night was ignited by a Molotov cocktail thrown through a window. No one was hurt in the incident.

liekit lyövät ikkunasta
Flames and smoke coming from an apartment blaze in Helsinki on Monday evening. Image: Petri Strandberg / Helsingin pelastuslaitos
  • Yle News

Authorities are investigating a case of suspected arson and attempted murder in Helsinki related to a fire that they began investigating around 6:30 pm on Monday, which ravaged an apartment in the city's Käpylä neighbourhood.

Police suspect that a burning Molotov cocktail, also known as a petrol bomb, was thrown through a window of the flat, sparking a blaze that destroyed the entire apartment. It was on the top floor of a building at the intersection of Koskelantie and Käpyläntie.

The case is being investigated as attempted murder and attempted aggravated arson.

Story continues after photo.

Poliiseja palopaikalla - Helsingin poliisin mukaan Käpylässä Käpyläntien ja Koskelantien risteyksen lähellä syttyi maanantai-iltana 10. joulukuuta 2018 räjähdysmäinen tulipalo, johon liittyen poliisilla on operaatio meneillään.
Police opened an investigation into a suspected arson-related fire at a flat in Helsinki's Käpylä neighbourhood on Monday evening. Image: Jussi Nukari / Lehtikuva

The occupant of the flat was able to escape to a neighbour's apartment after the incendiary device was thrown through the window and no-one was injured in the incident.

On Tuesday, Helsinki police investigator Anne Hietala said that it is possible the perpetrator of the crime and the occupant of the apartment knew each other.

Hietala said a far-reaching preliminary probe into the incident is underway and that no further information about it is currently available.

Edited on 12 December at 11:58 to indicate the approximate time of the fire was 6:30 pm.