Dry weather fuels fires in the North

The public in the Northern Province are being adviced to be vigilant for the possibility of fires due to the prevailing dry conditions in that part of the country. 

Several fires have been reported from various parts of the North in recent days that are suspected to have orginated due to extreme heat and dry weather conditions. 

A coir mill located at Irattaperiyakulam in Vavuniya was sustained severe damage on Saturday (22) after a fire swept through it. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined and it was doused by the combined efforts of Civil Defence Force personnel, area residents and the Fire Fighting Unit of the Vavuniya Urban Council.

Meanwhile, Police, the Special Task Force, Army and the Fire Fighting Unit of the Vavuniya UC had to battle hard to control a forest fire that erupted at a forest reserve and nearby paddy field in Nedunkulama, Vavuniya. The fire also caused damage to power lines and a transformer, causing power to be shut off to several areas.

A large number of fires have been reported in the North due to the prevailing dry weather conditions. Police and Forest Department officers say on many occasions, the fires have been lit deliberately. 

Police and security forces urge people in the province to be vigilant for such fires. In the event there is a fire, they are adviced to move to a safe location and inform the nearest police station or other relevant authority. 

Text and Pix by Romesh Madushanka