Massive fire in Finland destroys one - fifth of the country’s seed potato reserves

A warehouse covering more than 4,000 square metres and holding one-fifth of Finland’s entire seed potato reserves has been destroyed in a fire in the country’s north.

TodayPress TV reports, citing broadcaster “Yle”, that the fire broke out at a warehouse complex in the town of Tyrnava, in the North Ostrobothnia region.

Four warehouses containing more than 4,000 tonnes of potatoes in total were engulfed in flames. Firefighters said it could take several days to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed.

Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has convened an emergency meeting to discuss measures to replenish the country’s seed potato reserves. According to authorities, restoring the reserves could take several years.

Aysel Matlab