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Pettah fire death toll 21 : Explosion caused fire -GA

by Asanga Warnakulasuriya

Two more charred bodies were extricated from the mountain of rubble in Tuesday's fire at the Adamalee Complex in Gasworks Street raising the death toll in the incident to 21. Initial investigations have ruled out the possibility of sabotage or arson. However, Government Analyst reports stated that an explosion was the cause of the fire. The Adamalee complex where the fire occurred housed a fireworks stores on the second floor.

According to the initial investigations carried out by the Government Analyst, W. J. G. S. Gunethilake, there has been 2-3 kgs of highly explosives stored on the second floor of Swamipulle Sons. The second floor was separated by a wooden platform and a concrete slab on top had separated the second and third floors. The explosion had brought down the huge concrete slab on top of the members of Swamipulle Sons. With the release of the Government Analyst's Report, Pettah Police OIC, Ananda Liyanapathiran yesterday left out possibility of a robbery in Tuesday's incident. ASP Central Division 1, Premalal Ranegala had appointed a 40 member Police squad to carry out further investigations.

Meanwhile, the Colombo National Hospital reported a decrease in the number of fire victims who were admitted for treatment. Present by there are four persons under treatment.

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