One person is being treated on a ventilator after a gas cylinder exploded and caused a fire at a house in Male' early this morning.

Police said the gas cylinder exploded and the fire was reported at G. Dhoogas at 5:27am.

Four people were injured and are receiving treatment, police said. The injured are three Indian nationals and one Sri Lankan national, with two in serious condition.

An IGMH media official told Mihaaru News that two of the four patients are being treated in the intensive care unit. One of them is on a ventilator, while the other two are being treated in a ward and the emergency department respectively.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said all four sustained burns and other injuries.

The fire damaged a five-room residence occupied by 15 people. A wall collapsed onto the building's water meter, causing pipes to burst and water to leak damaging the entire building.

NDMA said 41 people affected by the incident have been provided with temporary shelter.