A major fire broke out yesterday near St. Anne’s church in Talawila where more than 250,000 pilgrims had gathered to celebrate today’s annual feast at this hallowed Catholic shrine.
No one was hurt in the fire but it caused panic among the devotees.
The fire occurred on the coconut estate of the Kellepalliya in Puttalam and destroyed four to five hectares of coconut tree cover.
“Navy, Air Force, Police and the people living near by had come together and put out the fire and prevented it from spreading,” Parish Priest Fr. Luke Nelson Perera said.
He said no damage was caused to the church and he believed the land would be cultivable again after some rain.
Fr. Perera said today’s feast of St Anne’s would be celebrated as usual despite the fire. |
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