The fire was quickly extinguished – and now the boys are back on track

For the residents of Ålesund, it wouldn't be a perfect Midsummer without Slinningspallet.

Behind a giant tower with stands, stands a group of volunteer boys between the ages of 10 and 20.

This year they had an extra challenge when after ten days of hard work a fire accidentally went up in smoke.

– went surprisingly well. It just shows the commitment of everyone here,” says fire manager Victor Sunde.

Burn fast

The fire started in Slinningsöden outside Ålesund, 44 days ahead of schedule. The fire, which was already six meters high, was extinguished.

The fire department officer took it seriously.

– My first thought was whether everyone is safe. Then came the shock and I almost panicked. Victor Sunde says his whole body started shaking.

The gang has to start over. With only a short time until Midsummer.

Mia Sophie Itreberg / NRK

A burning fire

Slinningsbålet is built by volunteer youth, and is lit on the Saturday before Sangthans.

Øyvind Berge Sæbjørnsen

Famous fire

People come from far and wide to witness the fire. Every year the fjord is full of boats.

Roar Halton

World record

In 2016, Slinningsbålet gained international attention when it was recognized as the tallest bonfire in the world, almost 50 meters.

Mia Sophie Itreberg / NRK

Built by hand

The world record will no longer stand. But Slinningsbålet is even more special because it is built by hand without a crane.

– Very material

But the city rallied quickly.

Within a short time, NOK 110,000 and thousands of planks were collected so that the young people could build the biggest midsummer bonfire in Norway.

– We received more than a thousand plates in the first two days alone. We really appreciated it. It means so much, all the support we get.

Victor Sunde

Fire chief

Now the fire is up to 32 meters, and the gang is well on its way to Saturday. This year's design is also slightly different from the past.

– There are old fish boxes in this fire. The fire manager says they are trying to create a retro fire from the 80s.

He helped design this year's bonfire, among other things, by looking at old pictures of Slinningspalette.

– Like a leisure club

Every year on the Saturday closest to Midsummer, children and young people gather to build bonfires.

Everyone from 10 years old to 20 years old helps build the fire.

– I started when I was 8 years old, but I have been here mostly this year, says Bjarte Skar Nilsen, who is now 13 years old.

He thinks it's great to hang out with the other boys while they build the fire.

– You make a lot of new friends, it's like a leisure club, he says.

This year they have a generational change among bonfire builders. Some dropped out, some new ones arrived. According to camp manager Viktor Sunde, they have room for many more.

– All you have to do is show up and you'll help create.