Fire breaks out at clothing store in Pelawatta

A fire has reportedly broken out at a large clothing store located in Pelawatta, Battaramulla.

The Emergency Fire Service of the Kotte Municipal Council confirmed that several fire trucks have already been dispatched to the location and that firefighters are currently attempting to extinguish the flames.

The fire had erupted at a leading clothing to homeware store located near the Pelawatta Junction while the fire has still not been brought under complete control.

The cause for the fire it still unknown.

UPDATE: (12.09 p.m.) - The Pannipitiya - Borella Road (174 bus route) has been closed for traffic at Pelawatte due to the fire.

Both lanes of the road section in front of the clothing store has been closed off for traffic due to the fire, Ada Derana reporter said.

Most of the clothing store building has been completely destroyed by the fire.

Meanwhile according to the latest reports, the fire has also spread to a nearby tyre shop and the flames continue to spread despite efforts to douse the fire by firefighters.

UPDATE: (1.31 p.m.) - The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has deployed a Bell 212 helicopter fitted with a Bambi bucket to help douse the fire at a clothing store in Pelawatte.