Powerful bulb caused Kandy library fire

The Special Investigating Unit of the Kandy police probing the fire that gutted the D. S. Senanayake Library's auditorium causing extensive damage have found that a powerful electrical bulb installed near a screen had caused the fire, Chief Inspector, Gurusinghe told the "Sunday Observer."

He said the fire was caused due to the negligence of the young man who installed a bulb near a screen.

He was an inexperienced electrician who had not properly understood the instructions in English on the cover of the bulb.

Due to overheating, the screen had caught fire.

The response of the Kandy Fire Brigade located closeby too was slow in extinguishing the fire. One child died and eleven others were critically injured following the fire that erupted around 8 p.m.

Three persons are still receiving treatment at the Kandy hospital. Police recorded the statements of several persons who organised the musical show that evening.

The fire spread rapidly to the roof destroying several ancient books and manuscripts but a large amount of books had been salvaged.

The D. S. Senanayake Library is managed by the Kandy Municipal Council situated near the Bogambara Prison.

The inquiry was conducted on the directions of DIG Central Province, Nimal Mediweka.

JJ