Major fire in Kahathuduwa

Rafik Jalaldeen and Pannipitiya Special Correspondent Anil Perera

KAHATHUDUWA: A major fire broke out at the Kahathuduwa Richard Peiris plastic manufacturing plant yesterday causing massive destruction estimated to run into millions of rupees.

According to police, the company's plastic manufacturing section was completely gutted in the fire which broke out in the morning.

"The cause of the fire is not yet known. It could be a leak in a metal gas tube fitted inside the factory. It was a wholly plastic manufacturing plant with a lot of chemicals which could have aided the fire," Police said. Police said the fire took time to spread and therefore the employees had time to escape. All newly installed machines in the factory were completely destroyed.

The Colombo Fire Brigade, Air Force, Army, Navy and Police were engaged in controlling the fire which was raging even by late evening with thick clouds of smoke billowing into the skies. The factory was in a large area but the roads in the surrounding area were narrow making it difficult for fire engines to reach the spot. The factory is in a highly residential area.