A fire at a nursing home in Sri Lanka kills 12 people

A fire at a nursing home in Sri Lanka kills 12 people 1 of 6 | A fire at a nursing home in western Sri Lanka killed 12 residents and injured eight others, Police said Thursday. The fire started late Wednesday at the home in Anguruwatota town. 2 of 6 | A Sri Lankan Police officer inspects a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) 3 of 6 | Sri Lankan Police and judiciary officials inspect a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) 4 of 6 | Sri Lankan Police and judiciary officials inspect a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026.(AP Photo) 5 of 6 | Sri Lankan army soldiers stand outside looking at the debris of a charred elderly care home in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) 6 of 6 | Sri Lankan army soldiers stand outside looking at the debris of a charred elderly care home in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026.(AP Photo) 1 of 6 A fire at a nursing home in western Sri Lanka killed 12 residents and injured eight others, Police said Thursday. The fire started late Wednesday at the home in Anguruwatota town. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 6 | A Sri Lankan Police officer inspects a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) 2 of 6 A Sri Lankan Police officer inspects a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 6 | Sri Lankan Police and judiciary officials inspect a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) 3 of 6 Sri Lankan Police and judiciary officials inspect a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 6 | Sri Lankan Police and judiciary officials inspect a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026.(AP Photo) 4 of 6 Sri Lankan Police and judiciary officials inspect a charred elderly care home following an overnight fire in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026.(AP Photo) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 6 | Sri Lankan army soldiers stand outside looking at the debris of a charred elderly care home in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) 5 of 6 Sri Lankan army soldiers stand outside looking at the debris of a charred elderly care home in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 6 of 6 | Sri Lankan army soldiers stand outside looking at the debris of a charred elderly care home in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026.(AP Photo) 6 of 6 Sri Lankan army soldiers stand outside looking at the debris of a charred elderly care home in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, Thursday, June 4, 2026.(AP Photo) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A fire at an unregistered nursing home in western Sri Lanka killed 12 residents and injured eight others, Police said Thursday.The fire started late Wednesday at the home in Anguruwatota town. Fifty-one residents were rescued, Police spokesman Fredrick Wootler said. He said people with mental illnesses were also housed there. The director of the home was arrested on suspicion of causing deaths through negligence. He appeared before a court and was ordered to be detained for a week while an investigation is underway. Associated Press footage showed the building gutted with its charred furniture and equipment. Bodies lay nearby. Local television channel Hiru showed image of firefighters, Police and residents trying to contain the raging fire. Those rescued were assisted by Police and soldiers in boarding buses to a safe location. Chathura Mihudum, director of the National Secretariat for Elders, said the facility was not registered as a nursing home and had been warned to follow laws and guidelines. He said it was overcrowded with beds for just about 15 people in a space where 71 people were living. Government officials had previously visited the institution and had instructed the management to follow laws, he said, without elaborating.