By Jayashika Padmasiri
A massive fire broke out at a factory in Moratuwa yesterday afternoon owing to an electric shortage. The damage caused by the fire was estimated approximately at Rs. 10 million.

The factory mainly produces mattresses apart from other rubber based products. Fire brigades from Colombo, Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia and Moratuwa Municipal Councils had to be brought in to bring the situation under control.

Acting OIC of Moratuwa Police, Kirthi Ranaweera told The Bottom Line, “We believe that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the wiring system. No one working in the factory was injured. However, the whole building and the store rooms were burnt.”

At the time of the incident around 25 employees were working in the factory.

Four firemen were injured when putting out the fire. Also injured due to the fire was a Moratuwa Municipal Council member who had come to witness the incident.

It is learnt that this was not the first time such the owner of the building had experienced such an ordeal. Two other factories owned by this businessman had been gutted by fire.