Namsos house fires lead to arson arrest and emu escape

An emu escaped from a garage following two house fires in Namdalseid, Namsos, early Sunday morning. One of the residences was completely destroyed by the blaze.

Emergency services responded to a fire in a detached house involving a heat pump and outdoor trash bins. Shortly after, a second nearby house caught fire and was subsequently declared a total loss. Two individuals required medical attention for smoke inhalation.

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of arson and are investigating a potential connection between the two fires. While authorities initially used drones to search for the escaped emu, a neighbor reported seeing the bird and its owner walking nearby, suggesting the animal has been located.