Two Children Die from Smoke Inhalation in Batticaloa Hotel Fire

Two children, a 3-year-old boy and his 5-year-old sister, have died from smoke inhalation following a fire in a hotel room in Batticaloa. The siblings, residents of Badulla, were staying at the hotel with their father to visit their mother, who is receiving cancer treatment at Batticaloa Hospital. Reports indicate the father had left the children in the room and locked the door when the fire, believed to have started from a mattress possibly due to the children playing with a lighter, broke out. Hotel staff and residents broke down the door after noticing heavy smoke, finding the children unconscious. Police investigations are underway.