The fire is probably linked to the ventilation system in the Festningen restaurant, located in Myntgata in central Oslo. 13 people have been evacuated, the police say. All are checked by health personnel. One of them is taken to the emergency room for a further check. No one has been reported missing. There are 13 fire engines on the scene, says duty commander Arvid Nordstrand. Difficult extinguishing conditions are reported for the fire service. – We do not have control over the fire, but there is no danger of it spreading as of now since the building is a little out of the way. I don’t know if the building will burn down, says Nordstrand to news around 7.30pm. At 23.30, Nordstrand tells NTB that the fire service is starting to get control of the fire. The fire service is planning a long-term effort, and will be on the scene tonight and throughout Sunday. – There are flames above the roof. I don’t know how it looks inside, says Nordstrand. – Is the building a total loss? – It is difficult to say, but it does not seem promising. Fire in restaurant at Akershus fortress – the smoke spreads throughout the center of Oslo. Full fire There were reports of a full fire in the entire building and the smoke spread throughout central Oslo. The fire service urged people to stay away from the smoke. The fortress area itself is closed to the public. – The smoke is currently going in the direction from Kontraskjæret and further into the center towards Rosenkrantz’ gate. The smoke will persist for quite some time to come, and may also be increasing for a period, the police say. In an update at 19.07, the police write that the smoke is increasing. There is black smoke, but the smoke seems to rise into the air instead of moving towards the center. Photo: Mia Sandnes Nilsen / news There is a lot of fire in the cladding, which has climbed up into the roof structure. – It’s burning well and smoke is coming from the roof, says operations manager Marita Aune to news at 19:00. The fire brigade and the police are on the scene. Historic and listed building The building was originally part of the fortifications at Akershus Fortress. It was built in 1836 as a prison, and was reopened in 2013 as the Fortress restaurant. Director of Forsvarsbygg, Thorbjørn Thoresen, tells news that, above all, we are happy that it seems to have gone well with employees and guests. – Secondly, we are saddened by what appears to be significant damage to an important cultural monument. This is really bad, says Thoresen. – Akershus fortress is the heart of Oslo and an important part of our shared history. The fortress restaurant has been newly restored and is in daily use. Now we will let the emergency services finish the work, then we will see what is needed to once again get the building into use. From Torshov in Oslo. Photo: Astri Husø / news The house has previously been used as a laboratory kitchen and office building. Between 1910 and 1915, the house was remodeled and used as a workshop. After the war it was used as an office building. According to Forsvarsbygg, building 22, as it is called, is protected according to conservation class 1. The category includes inventories of very high conservation value.
ttn-69
