Fire Breaks Out at Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi: Quick Response Prevents Major Disaster
Rovaniemi, Finland โ May 23, 2025
A sudden fire broke out at the famed Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi on Thursday evening, prompting an immediate evacuation and rapid response from emergency services. While no casualties have been reported, the blaze caused significant damage to parts of the kitchen and dining area, temporarily halting operations at one of Rovaniemiโs most iconic dining establishments.
The fire started around 6:45 PM local time, just as the dinner service was beginning. According to eyewitnesses, smoke began billowing from the kitchen area, followed by the distinct crackling of flames. Within minutes, staff activated the restaurantโs fire alarm system and began ushering guests out of the building.
โWe were just being served our starters when we heard a loud bang from the back,โ said Sanna Lehtinen, a tourist from Helsinki dining with her family. โThen one of the servers shouted for everyone to exit. The staff handled it so calmly but urgentlyโit was clear they were trained for this.โ
Kotahovi, located inside the Santa Claus Village just north of the Arctic Circle, is popular among tourists for its traditional Lappish cuisine and rustic wooden architecture. On the night of the fire, over 40 patrons were dining at the restaurant.
Fire crews arrived on scene within 10 minutes of the first emergency call. Thick smoke had already enveloped part of the building by then, but firemen managed to contain the flames before they could spread to the adjoining souvenir shop and administrative offices.
โWe were fortunate that the staff acted so swiftly and that the building was not at full capacity,โ said Fire Chief Matti Koivisto. โThe fire appears to have originated from an electrical fault in one of the kitchenโs cooking units. We are still conducting a full investigation.โ
While flames were mostly limited to the kitchen area, heat and smoke caused damage to the roof and some sections of the dining hall. Early estimates suggest repairs could take up to three weeks, depending on structural assessments and supply availability in the region.
Lapland Restaurant Kotahoviโs management has expressed deep gratitude to emergency responders and has vowed to restore the restaurant quickly.
โWe are devastated by this unexpected event but relieved that no one was injured,โ said Restaurant Manager Katja Rantanen. โOur team reacted exactly as trained, and the fire department did an outstanding job. We will be working around the clock to repair the damage and welcome our guests back as soon as possible.โ
In the meantime, Kotahovi has offered to accommodate existing reservations at nearby partner venues and is providing refunds or alternate arrangements for affected visitors. The restaurantโs staff will continue to be paid during the closure, management confirmed.
The fire has drawn attention to the importance of fire safety in high-traffic tourist zones, especially as summer travel begins to pick up in the region. Local authorities plan to conduct inspections at other restaurants and lodges in the area to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Tourism officials praised the calm and orderly evacuation process.
โKotahovi is a key part of the Santa Claus Village experience, and we are proud of how the team managed the situation,โ said Elina Mรคkinen, a spokesperson for Visit Rovaniemi. โTheir professionalism likely prevented what could have been a much more serious incident.โ
As investigators work to determine the exact cause, Kotahovi patrons and the local community are rallying around the beloved establishment with messages of support pouring in on social media.
