The blaze is continuing to burn through a large residential area in Krokstadelva, Drammen, about 30 miles, 50km, west of Oslo, and has spread to a nearby forest, authorities said.08:02, 18 Jul 2026Updated 08:21, 18 Jul 2026More than 100 properties have been destroyed in a massive blaze in southern Norway, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of residents, emergency services have said.‌The fire continues to rage through a residential district in Krokstadelva, Drammen, roughly 30 miles or 50km west of Oslo, and is now ripping through a neighbouring forest, officials said.‌About 80 firefighters, Civil Defence personnel and six firefighting helicopters are working to extinguish the inferno.‌During the night, helicopters were forced to halt operations, leaving ground teams to tackle the flames independently. Officials warned the absence of aerial assistance would pose a significant challenge and might impact attempts to stop the fire spreading further.Finn Roine, a Drammen resident, said: "I got a call from my daughter saying that three apartment blocks below her were on fire. A few minutes later, my son and I drove up here to see what was happening.‌"When we got here it looked brighter because the fire was lower down, but it spread incredibly fast. Then we saw the flames take one row of houses after another."Then I saw my daughter's house. It has burned down now, and it's still burning. There are still flames there."Police incident commander Frode Presthus said: "The fire is spreading into the forest, so it has become a larger wildfire moving south.‌"The plan is for the fire service, together with the Civil Defence, to meet the wildfire from the south and extinguish it northwards towards the fire. That's what they're going to try now. But as I said, the fire is still not under control. It is still moving.Weather patterns, especially the wind, continue to be a major worry, with authorities suggesting it could take until Saturday before the blaze is contained.One individual has received treatment for minor smoke inhalation and one firefighter has sustained minor injuries.Article continues belowThere are no reports of anyone missing, while the local authority has set up evacuation and support centres for those made homeless.The location and cause of the fire began remain unclear at this stage. Drammen mayor Kjell Arne Hermansen said: "A fire this big in Drammen, affecting so many residents, leaves you shocked. It's important to follow the advice from the fire service and the police."Drammen Municipality has activated its crisis staff and crisis management. We've been working as a municipality, but this is a major fire affecting all of Drammen."