Major fire engulfs Pooneryn coir factory

Pooneryn Divisional Secretary has requested the assistance of Sri Lanka Air Force helicopters to douse a fire that broke out in a 65-acre coconut husk and coir plantation factory premises in Pooneryn Mukkamban area in Kilinochchi on August 3 night.

Eight fire trucks have been sent to the province where the fire broke out, but the fire was spreading in such a way that it was not possible for those fire extinguishing trucks to go to the area where the fire was spreading.

Due to this situation, a request has been made to provide helicopters immediately, but no response has been received till that moment. Members of many public organisations in the area were also working together to fight this fire as much as they could.

However, it is reported that due to strong sunlight and wind, the fire was spreading in such a way that the fire engines were unable to control it.