More Than 100 Homes Destroyed as Wildfire Rages Through Southern Norway

More than 100 homes have been destroyed in a major fire in southern Norway, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people, rescue officials have said.

The blaze continues to burn through a large residential area in Krokstadelva, Drammen, around 30 miles (50km) west of Oslo, and has since spread to a nearby forest, authorities said.

Around 80 firefighters, Civil Defence crews and six firefighting helicopters are battling to douse the flames.

Overnight, however, helicopters were forced to suspend operations, leaving ground crews to fight the fire alone.

Officials said the loss of aerial support would pose a big challenge and could affect efforts to prevent the fire spreading further.

Finn Roine, a resident of Drammen, said: "I got a call from my daughter saying that three apartment blocks below her were on fire. A few minutes later, my son and I drove up here to see what was happening.

"When we got here it looked brighter because the fire was lower down, but it spread incredibly fast.

"Then we saw the flames take one row of houses after another. Then I saw my daughter's house. It has burned down now, and it's still burning. There are still flames there."

Police incident commander Frode Presthus said: "The fire is spreading into the forest, so it has become a larger wildfire moving south.

"The plan is for the fire service, together with the Civil Defence, to meet the wildfire from the south and extinguish it northwards towards the fire.

"That's what they're going to try now. But as I said, the fire is still not under control. It is still moving."

Weather conditions, particularly the wind, remain a key concern, and authorities said it may take until Saturday before the blaze is brought under control.

One person has been treated for minor smoke inhalation, and one firefighter has suffered minor injuries.

There are no reports of missing persons, while the municipality has established evacuation and support centres for those displaced.

Meanwhile, it is not yet known where or how the fire started.

Drammen mayor Kjell Arne Hermansen said: "A fire this big in Drammen, affecting so many residents, leaves you shocked. It's important to follow the advice from the fire service and the police.

"Drammen Municipality has activated its crisis staff and crisis management. We've been working as a municipality, but this is a major fire affecting all of Drammen."