Four to five houses were evacuated after a fire broke out in a chemical warehouse near the former Drug Court, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has said.
The fire started at the main warehouse of Prime Fertilizer, an importer of plant feed and various chemicals. About 80 percent of the company’s goods were stored in the facility.
Witnesses reported intense flames and a series of explosions in the area.
A fire and rescue officer told state media PSM that crews responded to reports of smoke at around 10 pm. By the time the first vehicle arrived, the warehouse was already fully engulfed in flames.
“We came after receiving information that there was smoke in the godown. When the first vehicle arrived, the whole godown was on fire. We came with more vehicles and are conducting the operation,” he said.
Additional fire engines were deployed as crews worked to contain the blaze.
The officer said four to five nearby houses had to be evacuated, though the number of people affected was initially unclear.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) later said it was assisting 18 people from four families. Those in need of support have been asked to seek help at the agency’s centre at the Social Centre.
Fire and rescue teams continued efforts to extinguish the blaze, while police secured the area, closed roads to traffic and assisted with evacuations.
NDMA and the Maldives Red Crescent were also on the scene. An airport fire vehicle was later brought in to support the operation.
The fire was brought under control after about an hour and a half. The warehouse, a metal and tin structure, was extensively damaged, though authorities said the blaze did not spread to surrounding buildings.
