Death Toll Rises to 13 After Tragic Care Home Fire in Anguruwatota

COLOMBO (News 1st); Another victim who was receiving treatment at the Horana Hospital after being injured in the fire at the Care Home in Batagoda, Anguruwatota has passed away.

Accordingly, the death toll has risen to 13.

At present, five more individuals injured in the fire are continuing to receive treatment at the Horana Base Hospital.

Post-mortem examinations of the victims who have been identified by their relatives are scheduled to be conducted today at the Horana Base Hospital.

Police stated that DNA tests will be carried out to confirm the identities of those who have not yet been identified by relatives.

Police further revealed that there were 70 individuals present at the care home at the time the fire broke out.

A total of 51 residents were rescued from the blaze.

Meanwhile, the director of the care home has been remanded in custody until the 11th.

This followed his production before Horana Magistrate Lakmini Widanagamage yesterday afternoon.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.