Massive fire becomes Norway's largest in modern times

By AAP Newswire

Jul 18, 2026

The largest residential fire in modern Norwegian history has destroyed more than 100 homes and forced hundreds of people to flee.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The fire in southern Norway started in a townhouse in the city of Drammen on Friday afternoon, police said.

It then spread through the area and into nearby forests.

Firefighters on Saturday morning continued their efforts to bring the blaze under control.

The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection said Saturday that it was the largest fire of its kind in modern times.

NRK, Norway's public broadcaster, said hundreds of people went to an evacuation centre.

No residents have been reported missing, police said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

Drammen is about 30km southwest of Oslo.

Most Popular