Labour Ministry orders full investigation into deadly Homagama factory fire

The Deputy Minister of Labour has instructed ministry officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the fire that occurred in a factory at Katuwana, Homagama, which claimed the lives of five individuals.The Deputy Minister has further directed officials to submit a detailed report on the incident without delay, according to the Ministry of Labour.Five individuals have died after a fire broke out at a helmet manufacturing factory located in the Katuwana Industrial Zone in Homagama earlier today (21), according to the Homagama Police.The fire has been brought under control, while rescue operations are continuing to determine whether any individuals remain trapped inside the building.At the time of the incident, more than 80 employees were reportedly inside the factory, and search operations are underway to establish whether any of them are still trapped.So far, five bodies have been recovered from the factory, which was engulfed in flames, police said.