The blaze broke out in a fifth floor apartment in Puolalanpuisto in central Turku. The flames that engulfed the apartment did not spread to neighbouring flats. But residents of 13 of the 34 flats were unable to return to their apartments immediately due to dangerous smoke.

Twenty-nine residents were evacuated and nine people suffering from smoke inhalation were taken to a local health centre. A baby was brought to Turku University Hospital for observation.

Rescue officials were alerted to the scene just after midnight. Police will begin investigating what sparked the fire on Wednesday.