Sri Lanka, June 11 -- Several back-to-back fires just a few days apart have once again shown us the destructive nature of fire. A blaze at an unauthorised elders care home in Anguruwathota, close to Horana, claimed at least 12 lives while three workers of an eatery in Thalawathugoda lost their lives when they could not escape the flames raging around them. A fire also destroyed an electronics store in Kadawatha. According to preliminary investigations, all these premises had not taken adequate steps to prevent fires or minimise their spread. For example, it was reported that the eatery in Thalawathugoda had no rear exit. With flames consuming the shop, the workers apparently had no escape route, which sealed their fate.

Fires can happen ...