Massive fire destroys 100 homes in Norway and forces hundreds to evacuate

The largest residential fire in modern Norwegian history has destroyed more than 100 homes and forced hundreds of people to evacuate, authorities said.

The blaze started in a townhouse in the city of Drammen at around 3.30pm local time on Friday, police said.

It then spread through the area and into nearby forests.

Firefighters continued their efforts on Saturday morning to bring the blaze under control.

The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection said it was the largest fire of its kind in modern times.

NRK, Norway’s public broadcaster, said hundreds of people went to an evacuation centre.

No residents have been reported missing, police said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

Drammen is roughly 34 kilometres (21 miles) south west of Oslo.

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