Another fire in the densely packed shopping District – Pettah in Colombo, engulfed multiple buildings, which have been built almost wall-to-wall with little attention given to safety. 

According to reports, the latest fire broke out on the third floor of a commercial building on 1st Cross Street in Pettah on Saturday (20). The Colombo Fire Brigade said that 12 fire-trucks were deployed so far to douse the flames. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Fire Service Unit has also deployed two fire trucks to the location and was later joined by Navy firefighters to assist in fire-fighting operations, and prevent the fire from spreading. 

The SLAF also deployed a Bell 212 helicopter to assist in extinguishing the fire. Multiple fires over the last few years in the highly urbanised area of Pettah have highlighted the safety and fire hazards, and the risk of greater damage if a fire begins to spread. 

PHOTOS Venura Chandramalitha