Police have today released video footage of the major 2024 fire incident which destroyed buildings housing three ministries.
The video shared at a press conference held this afternoon shows lights at the Housing Minister courtyard going out at 5:33am on December 12, 2024. Another 45 minutes later, electrical wires between the ground and first floors of the ministry are seen catching fire.
A foreign security guard at the Green Building is seen responding. He appears to rush to and fro, reportedly not knowing the emergency line to which the incident should be reported, and not having enough credit on his mobile phone to do so.
At 6:15am, he stops an off-duty MNDF officer passing by on a motorcycle and seeks his assistance.
The security guard managed to put out the fire that originated in the electrical wires through spraying water. However, smoke continued to rise, and he, along with the MNDF officer, are seen entering the Housing Ministry to report this to the Housing Ministry's security guard.
Moments later, MNDF firefighters arrive at the site and go to different floors of the Housing Ministry and near the Green Building, as seen in bodycam footage. The flames erupted while firefighters were already on the scene.
The fire that started early in the morning was only brought under control by around 12:40pm, and was entirely extinguished by 3:30pm.
The 'Tinu Building' caught fire in the incident, and the Housing Ministry, Construction Ministry and Environment Ministry offices were damaged beyond use. These three ministries currently operate out of Dharubaaruge as a temporary measure.
