Fire at Sri Lankan care home kills 12, injures 6

A fire at a privately operated care home in western Sri Lanka has killed 12 residents and injured at least six others, authorities said Thursday. The blaze, which broke out on Wednesday evening, has led to the arrest of the facility's manager on suspicion of negligence.

The fire erupted at the Maupiya Sewana home in the town of Anguruwatota, located south of the capital, Colombo. Police said 51 residents and staff were rescued and have been moved to temporary housing at a nearby government school. The injured are receiving treatment at local hospitals.

Officials reported that 10 people died at the scene, while two others later succumbed to injuries. Forensic teams discovered additional charred bodies on Thursday morning, raising the death toll from initial reports. The youngest victim was a 17-year-old boy. The facility housed both elderly residents and young people with mental health issues.

The manager of the home was taken into custody on Thursday. During a preliminary court hearing, a magistrate was told the facility was not authorized to operate as a care home and had not met minimum regulatory standards. The owner was ordered to be held in custody until June 11 as...