The owner of the elders’ home in Anguruwatota, Horana, where a massive fire yesterday (03) claimed the lives of 12 residents, has been arrested, police said.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and is scheduled to be produced before court.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the fire that broke out yesterday at the "Senehase Kedella" Elders’ Home in Anguruwatota rose to 12.

Another six individuals sustained serious injuries in the incident have been admitted to hospital.

A magistrate's inquiry into the incident was conducted this morning (04) when Horana Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamage visited the site.

The burned bodies were removed in the presence of the magistrate, and among them, the body of a cat that had died in the fire was also discovered.

Police stated that 71 residents were staying at the elders’ home at the time of the incident.

When the fire broke out, 10 people died inside the building, having been burned in the blaze.

The six injured individuals are currently receiving inpatient treatment at the Horana Base Hospital.

Approximately 50 residents who survived the fire were temporarily accommodated at the Batagoda Junior School last night.

This morning, with the assistance of Sri Lanka Army personnel, those residents were safely transferred to another branch of the same elderly care organization located in Galpatha.

The owner of the elders’ home was also summoned to the scene today for investigative proceedings.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Anguruwatota Police are conducting further investigations.