Close to MVR 200,000 spent by Government on those affected by yesterday's fire incident

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has said that the Government has provided approximately MVR 200,000 as aid to those directly impacted by yesterday's fire incident at Gaamagu Cafe'.

Yesterday's fire at the cafe' on Sosun Magu left 57 persons directly impacted and in difficult circumstances. These include 37 Maldivians and 20 expatriates.

NDMA Deputy Chief Executive Manager Umar Fikry told Mihaaru News that in addition to Dhoohimerige where the fire started, adjacent residences, Reefview and Southend, were also affected by the fire and subsequent smoke.

"Reefview was affected by the fire. The other house was affected by smoke," he said.

Umar said that most of the Maldivians who were affected are persons living in rented apartments. Hence, the government has issued about MVR 200,000 to arrange temporary shelter and meals for them.

Gaamagu Cafe' at Dhoohimerige, where the fire started, is built with three storeys. While the cafe' is housed in the ground floor, the upper two floors are used as accommodation blocks for expatriate workers. The upper floors are built on wooden decks with corrugated metal sheet walls. The place was damaged beyond use in yesterday's fire.

While no major injuries were caused in the fire, two expatriates were taken to hospital for medical attention due to being affected by smoke.