11 people have died and three others are missing in a fire that broke out at the ”Mawpiya Sevana Senehase Kedella” elderly detention center in Batagoda, Anguruwatota yesterday afternoon, Horana Police say.
10 of the deceased died on the spot. Another person who was hospitalized with serious burn injuries died there. Police said that 7 of the injured are receiving treatment at the Horana District General Hospital.
Police sources say that the fire has been completely brought under control. Sources say that Horana, Millaniya, Ingiriya, Anguruwatota police stations, Horana Municipal Fire Department, Dombagoda Army Camp and residents of the area contributed to extinguishing the fire.
It is reported that nearly 70 adults were residing there at the time of the fire. It is reported that about 51 people who were there have been rescued safely and are being housed in an adjacent school building.
Police stated that they will remove the bodies from the scene after conducting a magisterial inquiry into the incident this morning (04).
However, the cause of the fire has not yet been revealed.