A fire ripped through an unregistered elderly care home in Anguruwatota, Sri Lanka, on the night of June 4, claiming at least 13 lives and injuring dozens more. Police say the director was arrested on suspicion of negligence, and the tragedy has reignited calls for stricter oversight of informal care facilities.

13 deaths in Anguruwatota care home fire

The blaze erupted overnight, engulfing a building that housed 71 residents with mental illnesses despite having only about 15 beds officially permitted. According to police statements, firefighters and neighbours rescued 50 people while seven were taken to hospitals; one of those later died, bringing the death toll to 13.

71 residents crammed into a 15‑bed space

The facility’s severe overcrowding was a key factor in the high casualty count. With a capacity for roughly 15 occupants, the home was reportedly sheltering 71 individuals, many of whom required constant supervision. This mismatch between capacity and occupancy amplified the fire’s rapid spread, as highlighted by eyewitnesses and the police report.

Director detained on negligence suspicion

Police arrested the home’s director shortly after the incident, ordering a week‑long detention while investigators probe the cause of the fire. The arrest underscores the authorities’ view that the manager’s failure to adhere to safety standards contributed directly to the loss of life, as noted in the official police briefing.

Possible cause:electric short circuit to water pump

Employee Dhanuja Chathuranga told investigators the fire may have started when a short circuit in a wire attached to a water pump ignited a pile of mattresses and pillows. The rapid ignition of flammable bedding material turned a localized spark into a full‑scale inferno, according to the employee’s account.

Who allowed an unregistered home to operate?

The home had previously been warned by government officials to comply with nursing‑home regulations, yet it remained unregistered at the time of the fire. The lack of formal licensing raises questions about which local authorities failed to enforce existing laws and whether any informal permits were granted.

What reforms are being considered?

Lawmakers and health officials are now debating tighter inspections of private care facilities, especially those serving mentally ill patients. As the investigation continues, policymakers are urged to create a transparent registry of all elder‑care homes and impose penalties for non‑compliance, a move that could prevent similar tragedies.