Residents wake to large fire and black smoke in Reykjavik apartment building

Residents of an apartment building on Kirkjustétt in Reykjavik were jolted awake around 2 a.m. Friday by a fire deliberately set in the building's entrance. The blaze quickly engulfed the entryway, sending thick black smoke and intense heat up the stairwell, trapping sleeping residents.

"There was just black smoke inside the stairwell. Not everyone could get out," said Jóhanna Arnþórsdóttir, a board member for the housing association at Kirkjustétt 7-13. She reported that police and the forensic division were on the scene until nearly 4:30 a.m. The heat was so intense that windows along the stairwell, up to the third floor, shattered.

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There was just black smoke inside the stairwell. Not everyone could get out.

Residents are reportedly shaken by the incident, especially given that families with young children live in the building. "It's not a joke to wake up to someone setting your house on fire," Arnþórsdóttir stated, expressing bewilderment as to why someone would commit such an act. "You don't quite understand who does something like this, just pours gasoline and locks a whole stairwell of sleeping families inside."

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It's not a joke to wake up to someone setting your house on fire.

Significant damage occurred to the common areas of the building, including the entrance and stairwell. Smoke and heat caused extensive harm, and all exterior doors will need to be replaced. While the building is insured and cleanup has begun, restoring the common areas is expected to take considerable time. The police are actively investigating the case, but no suspects or motives have been identified.

The incident has left the community alarmed, highlighting the vulnerability of residents when faced with such malicious acts. The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and perpetrators of the fire.

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You don't quite understand who does something like this, just pours gasoline and locks a whole stairwell of sleeping families inside.