Fire kills 12 people in Sri Lankan home for older people

(Reuters)

COLOMBO, June 4 – A dozen people have died in ​a fire at a ‌home for older people in Sri Lanka, police said ​on Thursday, while ​another eight have been hospitalised.

The ⁠fire, which broke out ​at a home in ​Anguruwatota (55 km or 34 miles from the commercial capital Colombo), has ​been put out and ​the director of the establishment has ‌been ⁠arrested, police said.

“A total of 51 people were rescued from the home ​and ​they ⁠are being looked after by the ​military and public officials ​in ⁠the area,” police spokesperson Frederick Wootler said.

Two police ⁠teams ​are conducting further ​investigations, he added.