The death toll from the tragic fire at an elders’ home in Batagoda, Anguruwatota, has risen to 13 after one of the injured victims succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Horana Hospital, Police said.
Authorities stated that six other residents remain hospitalized and are continuing to receive medical treatment.
The fire, which broke out earlier this week, affected an elders’ home housing nearly 70 residents. Of them, 51 people were rescued following the incident, while seven were initially admitted to hospital.
Meanwhile, the director of the elders’ home was arrested yesterday and produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court. The suspect was remanded until June 11 pending further investigations.
Police investigations into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.
