A lightning strike narrowly avoided causing a major fire at the Orthodox Church of St. Alexander Nevsky and St. Nicholas in Tampere on July 18, forcing firefighters to remove the cross from the church's main dome to extinguish a hidden blaze. No injuries were reported.

The incident occurred during the afternoon while the church was hosting regular worship services as well as wedding and baptism ceremonies. According to church caretaker Mika Kangasaho, worshippers heard a powerful clap of thunder before lights inside the building began flickering, with part of the electrical system failing. The church's fire alarm system was also damaged.

Firefighters initially responded to the scene but found no visible signs of fire and left after completing their inspection. However, after the services concluded, passersby on a nearby street noticed smoke rising from the base of the cross atop the church's central dome and alerted emergency services.

Approximately 20 fire and rescue units returned to the church. Investigators determined that lightning had struck the building's tallest tower, igniting a concealed smoldering fire in the wooden structural elements supporting the dome. While the church's brick construction slowed the spread of the fire, authorities warned that the dome itself could have been damaged or become structurally unstable.

To reach the hidden fire, firefighters deployed a heavy crane and made the unusual decision to temporarily remove the cross from the top of the dome. Once the cross had been taken down, crews dismantled part of the roof to access and extinguish the smoldering timber.

The operation was complicated by continuing thunderstorms, which temporarily forced firefighters to suspend their work for safety reasons.

The fire was fully extinguished in the early hours of July 19, according to rescue authorities, and no one was injured in the incident.

The Orthodox Church of St. Alexander Nevsky and St. Nicholas is one of Tampere's best-known historic landmarks. Located in the city center, it was built between 1896 and 1899 to designs by Russian military architect Timofey Yazukov. Constructed in the Neo-Byzantine style, it has served as Tampere's principal Orthodox church for more than 120 years.

Specialists are now assessing the condition of the dome and its supporting structures. Once the inspection is complete, authorities will determine the scope of restoration work and when the cross can be returned to its place atop the church.