Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has revealed that there are 126 warehouses in Male City out of which 82 are located inside residential warehouses.

Speaking during a press conference related to the devastating fire that broke out in Male last night, Minister Mariya said that permits are only given to store chemicals related to agricultural uses and painting uses.

Mariya noted that upon receiving information about chemical warehouses in Male as well as sale of petrol in residential buildings, the Ministry had taken immediate action to stop these.

As such, MNDF Fire & Rescue and National Disaster Management Center were ordered to compile a report after probing such warehouses in the capital city. Places that required additional safety measures and improvements were later notified of it as well, according to the Ministry.

Minister Mariya further noted that the government moved to open petrol sheds round the clock to combat illegal sale of petrol, after which they haven’t received any complaints or info about the sale of such.

The fire that broke out in Male last night burnt down six houses and four warehouses.