K. Huraa Council has said that a fire incident at a residence on the island last night left a woman residing there in a state of shock which has rendered her unable to speak. She has now been transferred to Male' where she is under treatment, the council said. 

The fire occurred at Noofaruge in K. Huraa last night at around 1:30am. The building was damaged beyond use in the blaze. 

It took responders over an hour to bring the fire under control, by which time the place had been burned beyond use. 

Huraa Council member Hassan Firash told Mihaaru News today that a 34 year old woman who lives at the affected house sustained burns to her shoulders and palms. 

"More than the burn injuries, it was the fact that the shock had left her still unable to speak that led to her being transferred to Male' for treatment," Firash said. 

According to Firash, the pillow that the woman had been sleeping on had initially caught fire. 

"Her brother was attempting to rescue people at the time. The woman's two young children were sleeping in the innermost room of the house. The brother saved them and led them out of the house, and went back in, by which time the flames had spread nearly everywhere," Firash said. 

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that they are working with the island's council to provide assistance to 15 individuals who had been residing in Noofaruge. This includes people renting two units at the house, and children. 

Firash said that although it is suspected that the fire occurred due to an electric shock, the real reason can only be found after the woman is able to speak again.