A devastating fire erupted early Sunday morning at the Jokioinen Leipä bread factory in Kanta-Häme, and the company’s managing director has expressed grave concerns that the blaze may result in the total destruction of the facility.
Mikko Virtanen, the managing director of Jokioinen Leipä, reported that the fire alarm sounded at approximately 4:30 AM. “Once the alarm went off, we rushed to the site ourselves. We were able to contain the flames from the outside before the rescue services arrived, but unfortunately, it had already spread to the wall structures,” he explained.
By mid-morning, the Häme Police Department announced that they have launched an arson investigation, and they have not dismissed the possibility of foul play. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries resulting from the fire.
The factory, situated in the municipality of Jokioinen—about 120 kilometers northwest of Helsinki—has been a vital part of the local community. As of 9:30 AM, authorities confirmed that no injuries had occurred on site.
Health officials have issued a warning regarding the thick smoke billowing from the fire, advising the public to remain indoors, turn off ventilation systems, and await further announcements to ensure safety. Traffic Advisory agency Fintraffic also cautioned that visibility on stretches of Highway 10 has been compromised due to the smoke.
Firefighting efforts persisted throughout the morning, and authorities anticipate that extinguishing the blaze will take considerable time. “It appears that our facility will be entirely destroyed today. We’re looking at extensive damage,” Virtanen remarked to Yle.
Jokioinen Leipä is a family-owned bakery, established in 1983, which previously faced a similar ordeal when the original premises were consumed by fire in 2013. The current factory was built at the same location on Leivänkuja road. According to their website, the bakery employs around 140 individuals, many of whom are now facing uncertainty as the aftermath of this disaster unfolds.