The chimney, on Turu tänav which runs along the river, was demolished at 11:28 a.m. and the surrounding roads were closed to traffic during this time. In total, a radius of 200 meters was shut.

The work took place as expected, and the structure fell along the Emajõgi River in a northwest direction. A trench was dug at the point of impact, and water was pumped in to reduce the force and dust from the fall.

The Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) told Saturday's "Aktuaalne kaamera" chimnies are demolished every year. But what made this weekend's event special was the smokestack's size and location.

"It's located in such a densely populated area that public interest made this object special. But technically, it was routine work," said Lauri Kütt, head of the TTJA's Technical Department told the show.

Residents have many memories associated with the chimney

On Saturday, crowds gathered both on Sõprus Bridge and along the Emajõgi to watch the chimney being blown up.

Tartuvians had both good and bad memories of the local landmark.  

Heino Harju, who was employed at the Turu tänav boiler house for more than 30 years, recalled an explosion.

"It was the winter of 1978 when the big Tartu explosion happened — a large boiler was filled with gas, ignited, and then there was an explosion. The metal plates of the flue, which are about six to eight millimeters thick, some of them even floated to the other side of the Emajõgi River. A flame shot out of the chimney as long as the chimney itself. One of the gas office instructors happened to be looking in that direction, so the chimney fired like an old cannon," he said.

Another former employee Sulev said: "It was an impressive sight, and I feel a bit sad about the chimney because I worked here for 35 years as the shift supervisor at the central heating plant, and that chimney was the last tangible memory left of the plant."

Lea told AK: "It's always been there. I haven't yet had the chance to look and see that it's gone now. Just last night we went to take a look, and we've taken all sorts of photos of it. Of course, it's a shame because it was a landmark. People are joking, asking if I'll still know how to find my way home now."

A new business and residential quarter – Katlamaja kvartal – with up to 300 apartments is set to be built on the site. Originally, the designers planned to incorporate the chimney into the complex but were unable to do so.

The heating center at Turu 16 provided heat for households in the city between 1967 to 2014. The majority of the old buildings have been demolished and a new street called Katla will also be built to enter the area.

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