A fire broke out last on the fourth floor of a 13-storey Male' residence, G. Funfalhuge. The fire severely damaged water wiring at the building, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is carrying out a further assessment to gauge the level of damage.
The fire occurred at around 10:50pm last night. It took MNDF's Fire and Rescue teams about one hour to control and put out the fire.
NDMA Chief Executive Hisaan Hassan stated that the fire entirely burned out the apartment in which it originated, leaving it damaged beyond use. The building has three separate apartments on each floor.
Over 50 people live in the building. The fire damaged the water wiring for the whole building, causing immense difficulties to residents. Hisaan stated that the building owner is currently working on resolving the water wiring issue.
All apartments in the building were also affected by smoke from the fire, with the walls in the stairwell also blackened.
A video circulating on social media shows flames flowing out of windows as well.
Photos from the incident shared by MNDF show a bunk bed in a bedroom and mattresses on it completely burned, as well as books and a wardrobe damaged beyond use.
Hisaan further revealed that 28 individuals, including two children, had to be treated in hospital due to being affected by smoke inhalation. Of these, 25 were treated at IGMH and 3 at ADK Hospital.
One of the individuals taken to IGMH was an infant of just six months of age. With the fire having destroyed belongings in the apartment, there is an appeal on several Viber groups asking for donation of clothes for the infant.
Hisaan stated that several residents of the 13 storey building have been provided with humanitarian aid. However, none of the residents are being housed at NDMA's temporary shelter, he said.
NDMA will conduct an assessment of damages as soon as the investigation is completed and they are authorized access to the building, Hisaan said. The assessment has to be conducted in the presence of the house owners, Hisaan said, adding that there will be some delays as the house owners had also stayed up last night attending to the incident.
NDMA stated last night that 58 residents of the building were provided assistance through the authority's Evacuation Centre. This includes 24 men, 30 women and four children.
The cause of the fire is yet to be learned. Earlier this week, a fire incident also occurred at a Hulhumale' apartment, leaving the place uninhabitable.
