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| Sunday, 22 December 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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The Gasworks Street inferno : Arson or accident? By ANTON NONIS
While the festive lights illuminated the City of Colombo, another kind of light, devastated a more congested part of the city, leaving death, mayhem and misery in its wake-the inferno at the Adamalee complex along Gasworks Street early this week. At the latest count, the death toll had risen to 21, with several more treated for burn injuries. And although the degree of devastation is yet to be fully comprehended, many estimate the monetary and material loss to be significantly high. The fire, initially attributed to a large quantity of fire crackers stored in the premises, has also brought forth allegations and accusations of arson, sabotage wilful destruction and even something more series, giving credence to the allegation was the failure of the firebrigade to arrive at the scene on time to prevent the fire from causing widespread destruction. What happened on that fateful Tuesday? Was the fire caused by arson, or was it an accident. And more importantly why didn't the firebrigade arrive on time? -We explore the Gasworks Street fire and its enigmatic aftermath. Last Tuesday's fire at Adamalee complex, along Gasworks Street while dampening the festive euphoria, has also fuelled the rumours industry, with many alleging it to be arson, committed for a number of reasons-ranging from insuarance claims to an attempt to have the building vacated. However, police investigations conducted so far reveal that there is no base for such allegations. The fire police claim originated due to an accidental explosion on the second floor of the four-storeyed building. The blaze which lit up the night skies with an eerie glow destroyed a major portion of the 110-year-old, building which housed several shops and lodges. The fire, which erupted on the second floor office and stores of Swamipulle Sons, rapidly spread upwards and sideways, trapping those who occupied the second, third and fourth floors in the blazing inferno. Twenty one persons were killed. Another four burn victims are undergoing treatment at the Colombo National Hospital. According to hospital director, Dr.Hector Weerasinghe the condition of three victims who are in the intensive care unit are still bad and the fourth who had been showing signs of improvement has been transferred to the ward. Police investigating the fire have discovered that Swamipulle Sons had been using the mezzanine floor to store various merchandise predominantly fire crackers. Investigators estimate that at least 11 persons were occupying this floor at the time of the fire. According to the Senior Assistant Government Analyst (explosives and fire), W.D.G.S Gunatilleka nine of the 11 bodies had been recovered at the initial stages, leading to the suspicion that there may have been only nine persons on that floor. But a subsequent search through the rubble had enabled the rescuers to discover the charred human remains of the other two residents. Although police have ruled the fire on being has been caused by a fire cracker explosion, Gunatilleka refuted it somewhat, saying gun powder in firecrackers could not have caused such a devastative explosion. Gunatilleka, who had seen the destruction caused by the explosion at first hand, said that an explosion of such magnitude might require four kilos of a highly explosive substance such as TNT (Tri Nitro Toluene). If the Asst.Govt.Analyst's deduction prove to be true, investigators will have to re-think their conclusions and ascertain how and when such devastative material came to be stored in the shop. Compounding the contradictory claims of the police and the analyst, were the allegations that the firebrigade had failed to respond immediately. However, Colombo Fire Brigade chief, Jayampathy Kannangara said he had rushed his men to the Gasworks street location immediately, on receiving information about the fire. But, he admitted that their work at the site was delayed, due to obstructions caused by the large crowds gathered at the place. "The fire engines are large and the massive throng obstructed these from getting across," he claimed. He also alleged that the work of the firebrigade was hampered when some people began dousing fires in establisments they had interests in. "All these delayed our work," Mr.Kannangara said, adding that when the fire became uncontrollable, he had to summon the Air Force and the Ports fire services and also the Water Works department of the Colombo Municipal Council for assistance. Approximately, 150 workers from all three services were engaged in fighting the fire which was brought under control after about four hours, around midnight. However, the fire which started around 8.20 pm Tuesday, was put out at about 1.30 am the following day. According to Colombo fire chief, another major obstacle was the scarcity of water in the city, when a major fire occurs. He said that there were only a few underground fire hydrants along Main Street and Gasworks Street. This shortage is usually overcome with sufficient numbers of water carriers. Currently the Colombo firebrigade has six carriers, with each having a capacity of 4000 litres. But Mr.Kannangara said the department needs another six water carriers with a bigger capacity of 8000 to 11,000 litre each. According to Kannangara, the fire which was doused on Wednesday had been reignited the following day, due to residues of coconut oil in the vicinity and the firebrigade had been called again to put out the fire for the second time. The fire may be doused for now, but the mystery of what exactly caused it, is just begining. And if it was caused by TNT is suspected by some experts on explosion, then the biggest question is how did it get there, and when? |
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