National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) states the toilets in some flats of Hiyaa Tower 5, where a fire broke out on Friday evening, are out of commission due to damage to the main sewerage pipe in the fire.
Speaking with Sun, NDMA’s Chief Executive Hisaan Hassan said the fire broke out inside one of the ventilation shafts in the tower, and as such, did not cause significant damage to any apartments.
However, he noted that residents of two apartments, which were affected by smoke, were evacuated.
Hisaan emphasized that the main sewage pipe in the tower was damaged in the fire, leaving the toilets in some apartments out of commission.
He detailed that Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defense Force, Housing Development Corporation and Male’ Water Sewerage Company are jointly working on assessing the damage to the pipe and carrying out the repair works.
MNDF confirmed the fire, adding that its Fire and Rescue Services attended to the scene. However, the authority did not disclose any further details.
Hiyaa Towers, which house a large population, have seen previous fire incidents that caused damage.