Teen admits starting blaze that destroyed famous Finnish football stadium stand

A teenager has confessed to starting a fire that destroyed a stand at the stadium of a storied Finnish football club, police said on Wednesday, though the suspect cannot face criminal charges due to age.

Three minors, all under 15, were present when the blaze began at FC Haka's Tehtaan kenttä stadium in Valkeakoski, some 150 kilometres north of Helsinki, on Sunday evening, according to Finland's Sisä-Suomi police.

One of the three admitted to igniting an object that sparked the fire, which completely destroyed the end stand and damaged portions of the artificial turf, Detective Inspector Maijastiina Tammisto said in a statement.

The incident is being investigated as arson, though Finnish law exempts anyone under 15 from criminal prosecution.

"However, the absence of criminal responsibility does not mean freedom from liability for damages," Tammisto said. "There is no minimum age for compensation liability in Finland."

Tammisto urged public restraint about the case, after the incident has sparked harsh reactions on social media.

"The police hope that discussion about the matter remains appropriate and reminds people that inappropriate and personal communications can themselves lead to a criminal investigation," she said.

The fire broke out around 8 pm on Sunday and spread rapidly through the wooden structure, which held 400 spectators at the 3,200-capacity stadium built in 1934.

Marko Laaksonen, chair of FC Haka, said the damage costs have not yet been calculated but will be substantial.

"We certainly didn't need this, that's clear," Laaksonen told Finnish media. "We have already received a lot of support from people and we will continue to need it in the future."

The blaze comes just weeks after the club — which has won nine Finnish championships and 12 cup titles since its founding in 1934 —was relegated from Finland's top-tier Veikkausliiga to the second division.

The stadium, known as "Factory Field" in English, sits in central Valkeakoski, a town of about 20,000 people, and has been FC Haka's home since the 1930s.

The venue is owned by the city of Valkeakoski, whose representatives have said they will be looking into repairing the pitch as soon as possible.

"We are truly saddened by the fire at Tehtaas Field. Tehtaas is a beloved place for the people of Koski, and the city is committed to maintaining Tehtaas Field," said Joni Kumlander, Chairman of the City Council.

"Now our task is to find out what it takes to get the field back into playing condition," Kumlander added in a press release published by FC Haka on Monday.