Hiyaa fire: Repair work still ongoing

HDC has stated that repair work is still underway days after the major fire that broke out at the Hiyaa flats in Hulhumalé Phase 2 on Friday evening.

While fires occur occasionally, this is the largest fire incident at the Hiyaa flats since residents first moved in. The incident resulted in damage to the sewerage pipes of 38 flats.

In a message sent to the dedicated Hiyaa flats Viber group, HDC stated that work is ongoing to repair the damage caused to the main sewerage pipes of apartments 6 and 7 following the fire in Tower 5.

Consequently, residents have been requested to provide access to the first toilets of those apartments while work is in progress. HDC also requested that the toilets in the two-bedroom units not be used during this time.

"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to the residents of the flats," the message from HDC stated.

The National Disaster Management Authority has provided temporary shelter to 85 people from 18 flats following the fire, which started from an AC outdoor unit. Videos of the incident show smoke rising from the ventilation shaft area at the very top of the building.

However, the fire ignited in an AC outdoor unit installed in the ventilation shaft on the 15th floor. Due to the fire in that location, all the pipes within that shaft were burnt.

The fire, which broke out around sunset on Friday, was extinguished shortly thereafter by the MNDF Fire and Rescue team.

Fire incidents of various magnitudes occur periodically in the Hiyaa towers. There is a constant concern that an adequate fire safety system is not established in these towers, where thousands of people reside.