Police launches major investigation over repetitive fires

Maldives Police Service has launched a major investigation over the repetitive fire incidents across different regions of Maldives.

Via a tweet on Monday, Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed said that a major investigation has been launched in connection to the recent incidents of fire in Male’ City and atolls. He requested the public’s cooperation in the investigation.

A major investigation in to the recent incidences of fire in Male’ & atolls is now launched by @PoliceMv. We call for public support for it. Also, public order officers’ way of handling an elderly woman at the protest last night in Male’ is of concern. Will be looked in to.

— Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) January 9, 2023

CP Hameed’s tweet comes after the major fire which broke out at the largest secondhand market in Male’ City, Neelan Fihaara, on early Monday morning. Three fires have been recorded in the Maldives within the past three days.

In this regard, a fire broke out at GDh. Fiyoaree School hall on Sunday evening, completing destroying the building. The cause of the fire has yet to be identified.

Two days ago, a major fire also broke out at R. Alifushi waste dump site after some fibres in the premise caught on fire. The fire was controlled by digging using an excavator.

The fire at Neelan Fihaara broke at approximately 5:30am early Monday morning and was controlled by 7:30am through a collaborative effort of MNDF, police and the public.

The fire also spread to an accommodation block of Male’ City Council staff, which had completely destroyed in the incident. None of the staff residing at the accommodation block was injured in the fire.

Male’ City Council reported that the accommodation block housed 166 staff. They have all been moved from the area to Imaadhudhin School for temporary shelter.

Two major fires broke out at Neelan Fihaara in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Both incidents were suspected to be arson.