Fire from an electric fan spread due to thinner - 5 killed in helmet factory fire

Five people working at a helmet manufacturing factory located in the Katuwana Industrial Zone, Homagama, died in a severe fire that broke out yesterday morning, while three others were injured and hospitalized. At the time of the incident, nearly eighty employees were present inside the facility, and it has been confirmed that among the deceased are one woman and four men.

After the fire was successfully extinguished, the bodies found on the upper floor of the building were severely burnt, making it impossible to immediately confirm their identities. The bodies have been sent to the Homagama Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations. It is also reported that among those hospitalized due to severe smoke inhalation and burn injuries is a woman.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that an electrical leak in a fan within the factory caused this accident. The fire, which started on the first floor of the building, spread throughout the entire structure in a very short time due to highly flammable materials such as rigid foam, thinner, chemicals, and nuts stored for helmet production.

The absence of an immediate fire fighting unit within the industrial zone was another reason for the rapid spread of the fire. Subsequently, 6 fire engines belonging to the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia and Kotte Municipal Councils were called to the scene. The fire was completely brought under control after a joint operation lasting nearly five hours, carried out by the Army, Police, Electricity Board officials, and local residents. Due to the intensity of the fire, the upper floor of the building collapsed, and extensive damage was caused to numerous machinery and the area's electrical wiring system.

Homagama Acting Magistrate Mr. Roshan Kuruppuarachchi inspected the site of the disaster, and the total financial damage caused by the fire has not yet been assessed. Further investigations into the incident are being conducted jointly by experts from the Fire Division of the Government Analyst's Department and the Homagama Police.