The fire which broke out at around 11 am today (11), in a large clothing store located in Pelawatta, has been completely extinguished.

Two fire trucks of the Kotte Municipal Council Firefighting Unit, 2 fire trucks of the Colombo Municipal Council Firefighting Unit, 1 fire truck of the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Firefighting Unit and 2 fire trucks of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) were deployed to prevent the fire from spreading rapidly.

Nearly 100 officers of the Sri Lanka Army, too, were deployed to control the fire.

The fire brigade was operating to control the fire that had erupted in the front of the shop, when the back of the shop had erupted in flames.

As a result, the fire spread to the adjoining tire shop; however, the flames had continued to spread despite efforts to douse the fire by firefighters.

The power supply for the area was cut off and the Pannipitiya - Borella Road (174 bus route) was also closed off for traffic at Pelawatte due to the fire.

Meanwhile, the SLAF deployed a Bell 212 helicopter fitted with a Bambi bucket to help douse the fire.

After nearly six-hours of joined effort of firefighters, Army, SLAF and residents of the area, the fire was doused off.

No harm to persons were reported in the incident.