Firecracker destroys school building

Disna Mudalige

An old building with a historical importance at the primary section of Anula Vidyalaya in Nugegoda was completely burnt due to an accidental fire that occurred due to a firecracker on New Year’s eve, Mirihana Police told the ‘Daily News’.

Police said that the firecracker had crashed into the building through a window and struck a heap of rubber mattresses.

A person who lived in a neighbouring house had seen the smoke coming from the direction of the school and had informed the Police.

Police said that the fire brigade was able to extinguish the fire with the support of the people in the area within five minutes. The Mirihana Police had immediately dispatched 35 police personnel to the location and a police personnel from the Nugegoda police had also helped douse the fire. However the building was almost completely burnt by that time.

School sources said that the damages caused to the building might be over Rs 5 million.