A major wildfire broke out on Friday afternoon (July 17) on a hillside in the residential area of Krokstadelva, in the municipality of Drammen, Norway. The fire is burning on a hill surrounded by homes and dense forest, with authorities estimating that 40 to 50 houses have been completely destroyed.

No civilian injuries have been reported so far. One firefighter sustained minor injuries while responding to the blaze.

According to NRK, explosions were heard in the area, prompting authorities to order residents to evacuate. Police issued an emergency alert instructing people to:

“Leave the area. Close doors, windows and air vents, and switch off ventilation systems if possible.”

Authorities also warned of the risk of further explosions and toxic smoke.

Videos circulating on social media show thick black smoke covering the sky and significantly reducing visibility. Strong winds are fueling the fire, making firefighting operations especially difficult.

Large firefighting crews, supported by numerous emergency vehicles and a helicopter, have been deployed to the scene. A temporary no-fly zone has been imposed over the area, including a ban on the use of drones.

“This is a major fire affecting a significant number of homes. We are in close contact with the Fire Service and the Police and are monitoring the situation closely,” Drammen Mayor Kjell Arne Hermansen told the newspaper Dagbladet.