At least 17 people have been hospitalized due to a fire in a clothing store in Pettah this morning (27),  reports say.

According to hospital sources, six of the injured individuals are in critical condition.

A major fire broke out inside a clothing store located at 2nd Cross Street in Pettah at around 9:30 a.m. today and the Colombo Fire Brigade dispatched multiple fire engines to the location to douse the flames.

Several other adjacent shops were also damaged in the fire.

The cause of the fire is yet to be revealed and Colombo Fort Police has initiated investigations into the matter.