The fire broke out at the Army Camp at Salawa, Kosgama Sunday evening, has spread to the ammunition dump, causing several explosions, according to the Military spokesman Brig.
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Army spokesman Jayanath Jayaweera said the Salawa armoury was one of the largest in the island nation.
The army stored heavy weaponry and ammunition, including rockets, at the sprawling Salawa camp located at a former plywood factory about 36 kilometres east of Colombo. Chaos prevailed as thousands of people were fleeing the area to escape from the shrapnel from the continuous explosions. Flying debris could be seen from three kilometers away, an AFP photographer said, and military officials warned residents not to touch anything that might be an unexploded device. The fire spread to the ammunition dump, causing explosions.
The cause was not immediately known and the Government has ordered an investigation by the police criminal investigation department.
The authorities evacuated the residents in the area within six kilometers of the Army camp and closed the main High Level road from Hanwella to Kosgama.
Firefighters were stopped from reaching the camp as it was unsafe for them to get close to the source of the explosions.
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The Government ordered all schools and government offices in the area to remain closed on Monday.
