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Police probe Oluvil fire

by Manjula Fernando

Initial police investigations have revealed that the cause for the South Eastern University fire could be a short circuit.

Akkaraipattu Police OIC H.M.S. Premachandra who is conducting investigations into the incident told the Daily News yesterday that the evidence so far indicates that fire had started after a sudden explosion of an electric transformer in the university.

One of the electricians on duty at the computer lab that night had told Police that he heard a big sound form one of the transformers and then saw smoke. There had been a voltage drop during the evening before the incident.

The officers of the Government Analyst's Department was expected to visit the scene yesterday. Registrar A.L.Joufer Zadique said the fire had destroyed three computer labs used by students and the staff and initial assessments had revealed the damage to be around Rs.40-50 million.

He said: "There had been about 55 students in the hostel when this incident occurred. Students have rushed to the scene to help douse the fire and about 20 students suffered minor injuries. Six of them who inhaled smoke and were injured by broken glass are still warded at Ampara and Ninthavur hospitals."

The Air Force and the police have extinguished the fire.

Over 1000 students are currently enroled in the South Eastern University at Oluvil which was set up in 1995 under a concept of the former Minister the late A.H.M.Ashraff.

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