Sunday, January 19, 2014

Historic Norwegian village on fire

Blaze threatens historic wood village in Laerdal Norway

Firefighters in Laerdal, Norway, 19 January  At least 10 buildings have been bunt in Laerdalsoyri

Scores of people have been evacuated from a heritage village in southern Norway as a raging fire threatens its unique wooden buildings.

Flames spread rapidly after the fire began overnight in a house in Laerdalsoyri, a village of 1,150 people in Laerdal, on Sognefjord fjord.

At least 52 people received hospital treatment but no deaths were reported.

Flames have spread to at least 10 buildings, fanned by strong winds, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reports.

Emergency services are counting on the arrival of a firefighting helicopter on Sunday to help contain the blaze, while local farmers are helping the firefighters.

The Laerdal district contains a stave church and many other historic wooden buildings, hundreds of years old, much visited by tourists.


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