Warehouse Vs. Fire

First there was smoke, a lot of it, right behind the railway tracks:
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Unless otherwise noted, all images by Petteri Sulonen, used under a Creative Commons license.

Controlling fire is a human skill developed many thousands of years ago. Yet when we’re unable to defeat it, what strikes us is not only the destruction in a fire’s path but also its strange beauty, which we watch with guilty pleasure. A warehouse fire in Helsinki’s city centre left many bystanders mesmerized. One of them was Flickr user Petteri Sulonen who grabbed his telephoto lens as soon as he heard the news of the fire and rushed to the site. The result is this stunning series of photographs.

Then, the fire suddenly erupted in many parts at once...
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The abandoned Makasiinit warehouse complex in Helsinki’s city centre right between the House of Parliament and the railway station burned down on 5th May 2006. The fire attracted many onlookers and was heavily publicised as arson was suspected.

...followed by a huge smoke plume, watched by awe-struck spectators:
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Though not utilised year-round, the warehouse had been used as an unofficial cultural center appreciated by many for its flea markets, concerts and cultural events. Despite efforts by the fire departments and favourable weather conditions, the building was completely gutted.

Soon, the sky was dark and even the sun about to be swallowed...
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Many Helsinkians bemoaned the demise of the “VR warehouses” – named after the state-owned VR Group – not only for their cultural but also their historical significance.

...leading to this apocalyptic image with sun and railway station tower:
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The warehouses had been built in 1898 and 1899 according to designs by Bruno Granholm and served as the cargo terminal for Helsinki Central railway station, built in 1860. They were extended in 1908, 1917 and in the 1950s and were used until the 1980s. Then they were abandoned and decayed over the years.

The fire raged on to this store; luckily no one was hurt:
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Only four days earlier, on May 1, bonfires connected to May Day riots had almost reached the warehouses and fire fighters trying to prevent the fire were attacked by rioters. Therefore, when news of the burning warehouses spread like wildfire on May 5, many thought it was arson as a continuation of the May Day riots.

Firefighters tried to douse the flames...
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However, the Helsinki police closed investigations into the fire in July after they ruled out arson. The source was determined as an accidental fire that had been smouldering for several hours before suddenly breaking out across large parts of the warehouses.

...but the buildings were gutted in the fire; here's the roof caving in:
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For more than a decade, the warehouses had been under threat of demolition to make way for the Helsinki Music Centre.

As the fire is brought under control, shoppers go about their business:
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Image: Topias Hirvonen

Plans were finalised in early 2006 and the demolition slotted for May 6, 2006 – one day after the fire, when the warehouse remains were actually knocked down as planned.

Makasiinit during demolition on June 1 in front of the Kiasma Museum:
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Image: Ppntori

During the demolition work, the police accidentally tore down intact parts of the warehouses that were supposed to be preserved and integrated with the new buildings. It is said the new concert hall will be completed in the spring of 2011.

The site in May 2009 with the construction of the Helsinki Music Centre going on:
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Image: Käyttäjä:Pertsaboy

Sources: 1, 2, 3

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