Sabotage not ruled out in Panadura shop fire

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

Several police teams including the Colombo Crimes Division investigating the midnight fire that completely destroyed a two-storied fashion drapery store in Panadura, said a man-made error could have caused it.

Garments fashion accessories and interior items worth millions of rupees were burnt to cinders in the fire that broke around 3.00 am on Saturday. Several fire fighting crews in five fire engines doused the fire in two hours.

Senior DIG Colombo range Anura Senanayake launched an investigation and recorded statements from four employees who were reported to have had a late night booze party on the top floor, where the fire had broken out.

Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Observer that the Government Analyst was summoned police said that a cigarette butt thrown accidentally could have caused the fire, a possible act of sabotage could not be ruled out.

A large number of people gathered outside the shop on the Galle Road.

The Police Special Task Force deployed several teams to maintain law and order in the area.