"They Begged Us to Save Them, But We Couldn’t Reach Them" - Inside Care Home Tragedy That Claimed 12 lives

COLOMBO (News 1st); An unregulated and unlicensed care home has been thrust into the national spotlight after a devastating fire in Batagoda, Anguruwatota claimed 12 lives.

Police confirmed today (4) that 12 individuals died in the blaze, which broke out yesterday (3) evening at the privately run "Senehasa Kendella" care center.

The facility’s director, Isuru Anushka Perera, widely known on social media as “Loku Aiya”, was arrested this morning and produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court later in the day. He has been remanded until the 11th.

Kalutara District Secretary Sunanda Herath revealed that the care home had been operating without formal registration or a valid license.

The facility was reportedly housing 71 residents at the time of the fire, including elderly individuals and younger persons with special needs. Families were required to pay for care services, while additional funding was sourced through donations.

According to residents, the fire broke out between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and spread rapidly through the premises. In a desperate rescue effort, villagers, along with fire service personnel and security forces, managed to save 51 people from the burning building.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic and harrowing scenes as flames engulfed the structure within minutes.

One resident said he saw thick smoke rising while he was at a nearby shop and rushed to the scene, where villagers broke into the building to rescue those trapped inside. He said several victims could not be reached, with claims that some individuals had been restrained and could not escape.

Villagers also alleged that there had been ongoing disputes with the operators of the facility, adding that concerns had previously been raised over its management and practices.

A petition reportedly signed by over 100 residents had been submitted to local authorities and the Child Protection Authority, calling for intervention. However, no action had been taken.

“We didn’t ask for the place to be shut down,” one resident said. “We only wanted it to be properly regulated.”

Another eyewitness recounted hearing cries for help from inside the building, describing how trapped residents screamed and pleaded to be rescued. Several individuals were freed after villagers broke through window grills before emergency responders arrived to contain the blaze.

Further disturbing allegations emerged from survivors, who claimed that certain residents had been physically restrained. Some villagers suggested that mentally ill patients may have been tied up.

Relatives who arrived at the site today also voiced serious concerns about the treatment of residents. One family member alleged that her relative had not been properly fed and that access to residents was tightly controlled. She further claimed that the individual had been tied up, reportedly due to behavioral issues.

Following the tragedy, survivors were temporarily sheltered at the Batagoda Primary School before being relocated to alternative facilities.

Authorities confirmed that several individuals have already been handed back to their families, while legal action is expected in cases where families refuse to assume responsibility.

A formal investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, with on-site examinations conducted by the Government Analyst’s Department and under the supervision of the Horana Magistrate.

Officials say the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.