A fire broke out at a petrol shed in Shaviyani Funadhoo this morning, spreading to a nearby house and garage.

The fire started at a privately operated petrol shed in a residential area and was still burning out of control, according to those active in the area.

“The fire has now spread to the house. A garage is also burning,” a person speaking from the island said.

Residents were evacuated from nearby houses, while concerns remained that the fire could spread to other homes in the area.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said at 8:37am that airport firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze.

A fire brigade from Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi was also on its way to Funadhoo, according to the MNDF.