Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) on Monday controlled a massive fire that had broken out at Neelan Fihaara, the second-hand market.

MNDF stated that they received reports of the fire around 5:43am, shortly after which their firemen were active on the scene to control the blaze. They further added that with the help of MNDF and MACL firemen, the fire spreading from the North of the second-hand market near Imaddudin School was controlled by 7:35am while the fire from the East was controlled by 8:30am.

They further revealed that the blaze had also spread to an adjacent accommodation block for expatriate workers towards the east, and had completely burnt down the building. Firemen who had entered the premises after the fire was controlled had also revealed that there was no one inside the building at the time.

165 workers from Bangladesh and one worker from India were living in the accommodation block. All of the workers are employed by Male' City Council, and have been provided temporary shelter at Imaduddin School.