Excavators uncover mysterious concrete remains during fire station construction in Joutseno, Lappeenranta

During the construction of a new fire station in Joutseno, Lappeenranta, an unusual discovery was made. As excavators were digging the foundation, they unexpectedly struck concrete at the end of summer. This concrete is believed to be the remnants of some building. Alongside these concrete structures, various materials were unearthed, including plastic, a sauna stove, metal sheets, bricks, and soil.

The debris consisted of approximately 170,000 kilograms of concrete, suggesting the existence of a substantial former structure. Teijo Neuvonen, the site manager from Raspal Oy, noted the unusual nature of the find, speculating whether the site might have previously housed old road junction facilities. Neuvonen, who has lived in Joutseno for 30 years, does not recall any buildings ever being present there.

Experts from the city of Lappeenranta and the South Karelia welfare region examined the findings, but the origin of the debris remained unclear. Interestingly, a similar discovery was reported earlier in the week from another construction site in Helsinki, where a large concrete piece was found to be hollow.

Despite this unexpected setback, construction on the fire station is on schedule, with prefabricated walls being installed by Friday. The station is set to be completed by August next year and will be strategically located between the main road and a railway line.

The new facility will encompass around 2,000 square meters and will also house the emergency response unit of the South Karelia welfare area. Neuvonen highlighted that local resources are being utilized for the construction, ensuring the project supports the local economy.