– I have received the number of the building that is to be burnt down. It concerns the main cabin, and the message is that it has burned down, says Ringnes’ partner Tim Kronborg to the newspaper.
The cabin is located on the island of Store Såstein in Langesundsbukta in Bamble.
The fire has not spread to other buildings, and there should not have been people on the island, the South East Police District says.
The first message to the emergency services came around 5 o’clock on Tuesday night. A lot of wind means that the police and fire brigade have not been able to get out on the island. A police helicopter also moved out, but was also unable to land due to the wind.
– We haven’t got out there, the fire boat can’t get out, and the helicopter can’t land. But a lifeboat has been set off by a sailor out there who has seen that a large cabin on the top has burned down, says operations manager Marianne Mørch at the Søreast police district to VG.
The emergency services are currently gathered on land in Langesund.
– I sit and wait, too. We are trying to get out to the island together with the municipality to get the municipal water out there shut off, says Kronborg.
Christian Ringnes owns both Store Såstein and Lille Såstein. He bought the two islands, which are separated by a narrow strait, in 2014.