A devastating fire swept through a residential neighborhood near the city of Drammen in southern Norway on Friday, destroying more than 50 homes, according to rescue officials.
The affected area sits roughly 50 kilometers — about 30 miles — west of Oslo. Dense black smoke blanketed the region as the fire tore through a stretch of terraced housing before spreading into the surrounding forest. Despite the scale of the destruction, officials reported no casualties and no missing persons.
At least 60 firefighters were on the scene working to bring the blaze under control, with additional crews called in from neighboring regions. Helicopters were also deployed to help battle the flames from the air, dropping water on the fire below.
Strong winds made containment efforts especially difficult as authorities worked to keep the fire from spreading further. Police ordered the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the area as a precaution while the fire continued to burn.
The cause and origin of the fire had not been determined as of Friday, and an investigation is expected to follow.
