An explosion has taken place at the old Race Course building at Cinnamon Gardens in Reid Avenue, Colombo 7, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.
The explosion had taken place in the area of an international food franchise located on the ground floor of the building.
Police suspect a gas leak and the Colombo Municipal Council Fire Brigade and the police had taken steps to bring the fire under control, the spokesman said.
No injuries or deaths have been reported so far.
The Government Analyst is to inspect the site to ascertain the cause of the explosion.