The incident was reported around 07:30 hrs this morning, with smoke and flames visibly engulfing the building. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
A fire broke out this morning in the building housing the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development.
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is actively working to contain the blaze, but the fire has spread extensively throughout the structure, filling the area with thick smoke.
The incident was reported around 07:30 hrs this morning, with smoke and flames visibly engulfing the building. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
The building, an old structure with a wooden deck has been severely impacted by the fire, with smoke billowing from all directions.
Smoke from the building is affecting a large area of Malé City, and Health Protection Agency (HPA) has advise residents to take necessary precautions.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Infrastructure Minister Abdulla Muththalib had arrived at the scene to assess the situation.
An employee of the Ministry reported that the fire is believed to have started on the first floor of the building, where some staff were inside preparing to open for the day. Upon noticing the smoke, everyone evacuated the premises.
The fire continues to spread, with efforts to control it still underway. Police have started evacuating residents from nearby houses around the Maafannu Green Building, which houses the Housing Ministry. Both the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and police are actively working at the site.
MNDF Fire and Rescue team, alongside airport firefighters, is working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighboring buildings. Authorities are also attempting to salvage anything possible from the building.
The building also accommodates the Infrastructure Ministry, the Environment Ministry, and the Male' City Council.
No injuries have been reported in the fire.
Some schools in the area have suspended classes and sent students home as smoke from the fire spread.
Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon, speaking with the media, stated that firefighting efforts commenced at 6:30 hrs. He said that the Maldives MNDF deployed all available equipment to tackle the fire, prioritizing the evacuation of people from nearby buildings. By the time evacuation efforts were completed, the building had become heavily engulfed in flames, he said.
Among the affected structures was the Vital Registration office of the Male' City Council, which manages birth registration and population data. It is believed that some important records Male' residents may have been lost in the fire.
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