Fire destroys four buildings at Maikkula Manor in Oulu, Finland

In Oulu, four buildings at the Maikkula Manor were destroyed by a fire during the night leading into Friday. Police confirmed to Yle that a burglary alarm was triggered before the fire alarm was received at 1:45 AM. The burglary alert was earlier reported by Kaleva.

Authorities are now investigating a possible connection between the alarm and the subsequent fire, according to lead investigator, Chief Inspector Tero Luukkonen. Pekka Keisu, the son of the manor’s owner Mikko Keisu, also reported noticing the burglary alarm when he arrived at the scene Friday afternoon.

Pekka Keisu noted that the damaged structures include a bay sauna, a smoke sauna, a salmon hall, and a preparation kitchen, while the manor itself, built in the 1830s, survived the incident. When reached shortly after 12:30 PM on Friday, smoke was still visible at the site.

The damages are extensive, although Keisu could not yet assess their full extent. Most of the burned buildings were constructed in the 21st century, with the oldest being the smoke sauna by the lake, renovated in 2000.

Previously, the Maikkula Manor operated as a restaurant, and several dozen sauna events scheduled for the fall will have to be canceled; however, business may continue otherwise. Keisu stated, “The other buildings are operational, and we will attempt to maintain normal activities with the resources we have.”

Police indicated that a technical investigation into the cause of the fire will begin as soon as conditions allow.