Six people were hospitalised early Monday after a fire in a block of flats in Lahti, south-central Finland.
Rescue services were alerted to the fire on Saimaankatu in central Lahti shortly after 2am. Residents were awakened by a fire alarm after the fire began in a third-storey apartment.
The Päijät-Häme Department for Rescue Services told Yle shortly before 4am that half a dozen people had been sent to hospital.
According to local newspaper Etelä-Suomen Sanomat, one person suffered serious injuries.
At least 15 other residents were evacuated from the building. They have been offered temporary housing.
Regional fire chief Pertti Vesaaja said that while the fire did not spread to other apartments, all flats on the same stairwell have been rendered unliveable due to smoke damage.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze.
Arson suspected in Hämeenlinna school blaze
A few hours later, an old wooden schoolhouse was damaged by fire in Hämeenlinna, also in south-central Finland. Police believe that the blaze was intentionally set, and are investigating it as a case of aggravated arson.
The Ruununmylly school is over 100 years old.
According to fire marshal Marko Villanen, the fire broke out at one end of the building around 6am. It was extinguished by 8.30am.
"One end of the building suffered enough damage that the schoolchildren will not be able to return for a while," Villanen told Yle.
About 300 pupils attended school in the old building and an adjacent newer structure.
Schools are closed on Easter Monday, a national holiday in Finland.
