Fire at Maskeliya tea estate destroys 16 houses

Sixteen houses were completely gutted and around 90 people displaced following a fire at a tea plantation in Maskeliya on Saturday.

The fire erupted around noon when most plantation workers had left for work. The fire had completely destroyed household items. No injuries were reported.

The estate management and government authorities have taken steps to look after the needs of the displaced.

The Police said an electric short circuit was the cause of the fire.