Eight year old girl dies in Weligama house fire, Grandmother & sister survive

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police have launched an investigation after an eight year old was reported to have died inside a burning house in Weligama on Tuesday (30) night.

According to police, a fire had broken out inside a room of the house, and as a result the roof had collapsed on to the girl who was sleeping at the time.

She died in the fire, said Sri Lanka Police adding that her grandmother and thirteen year old sister, who were sleeping in an adjacent room had managed to run out and save themselves.

The Matara Fire Brigade was called into to douse the fire, and the cause for the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Investigations have revealed that no harm was caused to the gas cylinder, gas cooker or any other appliance at the residence and that the gas cylinder was empty since a week and no new gas cylinder was purchased by the occupants.

However, locals in the area said they heard multiple loud noises from the direction of the house and suspect other reasons for the fire.

Several gas-related explosions were reported last night as well.

One such incident was reported from Giriulla; no injuries have been reported.

Another incident had occurred at Hardware Store in Panadura last night and was reportedly located close to the gas shop.