Four in critical condition

At least 23 persons were hospitalised on Friday morning after a fire broke out at an eight-storey building in Pettah.The victims have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.

They have received burn wounds or are suffering from respiratory issues, a spokesperson for the National Hospital told the media.He added that four of the injured individuals are in a critical condition.

The fire broke out at about 9.30 a.m., Colombo Fire Chief P.D.K.A. Wilson said.The Colombo Fire Brigade dispatched 11 fire engines and 45 fire fighters to douse the fire and it took them several hours to get the fire under control, he said.The cause of the fire is not yet known, and the Colombo Fort Police are conducting investigations. (RK)