Sewerage pipes of 38 flats in Tower 5 damaged

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has stated that 38 flats have suffered damage to their sewerage pipes following a fire incident last night at the fifth Hiyaa tower in Hulhumalé Phase 2.

According to NDMA, temporary shelter and food have been provided to 85 individuals from 18 flats as a result of the incident. The authority noted that the fire, which originated from an air conditioning outdoor unit, caused damage that has left the toilets in multiple apartments out of commission.

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) confirmed that it is currently working to repair the damage caused to the main sewerage pipes of apartments 6 and 7.

While it is known that the fire started in an outdoor unit around 7:00 PM last night, official details regarding the specific cause have not yet been fully disclosed by government authorities. 

Videos circulating on social media showed smoke billowing from the ventilation shaft at the top of the building. It has been established that the fire broke out in an AC outdoor unit installed in the ventilation shaft on the 15th floor.

The resulting blaze destroyed all the pipes located within that shaft.

Fortunately, the fire was extinguished shortly after it began. There is a persistent concern regarding the lack of adequate fire safety systems in the Hiyaa towers, where thousands of people reside and where various fire incidents occur periodically.