Photo: Hanna Matikainen / Lehtikuva
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A top-floor balcony at a six-storey apartment building in Tampere’s Kaleva district partially collapsed on Monday evening, prompting an immediate safety response.
Rescue services received the alert shortly before 8 pm after heavy pieces of façade plaster fell from a balcony on Väinämöisenkatu. The debris, estimated to weigh around a kilogram per chunk, landed near the entrance of the building. No injuries were reported.
The building’s balconies have now been declared off-limits. Petri Rantala, the duty fire chief, said the incident exposed damage not only to the affected unit but also to several other balconies.
“Other balconies also show clear signs of damage,” said Rantala. He confirmed that the use of every balcony in the building is now prohibited until further notice.
“The property owner and maintenance company are responsible for assessing the structure and carrying out repairs,” he added. The full extent of necessary repair work remains unknown.
Eyewitness Nina Peltola, who was nearby during the incident, said she heard a loud crash.
“I was walking my daughter’s dog and had just sat down on a bench. Luckily, I wasn’t underneath. The stones flew surprisingly far,” she said.
The building, managed by Tampereen Vuokra-asunnot Oy, dates back to the 1960s. Firefighters inspected the façade and confirmed no immediate danger beyond the balconies, though concerns remain over the structural integrity of the upper levels.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the damage. Structural engineers are expected to carry out detailed assessments in the coming days. Until then, residents have been instructed to avoid using their balconies entirely.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
