A man in his 50s has been arrested after a fire broke out in an apartment block in Halden. Witnesses have heard an explosion before the fire.

On Monday afternoon, the police were notified of a fire in Glenneveien just outside Halden center at 5:27 PM. They armed themselves prior to reacting as an explosion was reported. 

“A person was seen running from the scene. Verbal threats were also heard, but we know who these threats were aimed at,” operations manager Karianne Knutsen in the Eastern Police District told NTB at 6:25 PM.

A man in his 50s has been arrested and charged in connection with the fire. 

Apartment searched

The fire brigade quickly got control of the fire, and the police bomb squad and the Delta squad searched the location for explosives, according to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK), 

“We have been inside the apartment and carried out searches. We did not find any explosives. But there is no doubt that there was both a fire and an explosion there. There is a lot of damage in the apartment that burned,” police task leader Arve Hermansen said.

The police are opening a case and will carry out further tactical and technical investigations.

No persons were reported injured. All residents in the block, as well as several surrounding homes, were evacuated in connection with the incident. At 8:15 PM, the Eastern Police District announced that the evacuees could return to their homes.

Parts of the building are still uninhabitable, according to police.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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