A fire has completely destroyed a shop in Galolhu ward of Male’ City. No one was injured in the incident, according to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Fire and Rescue Service.
The shop, named ‘Vega Point,’ located on Raiyvilla Goalhi, was reduced to rubble in the blaze, which occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. A series of loud bangs were heard before the flames erupted, according to multiple witnesses in nearby buildings. 15 motorcycles parked in front of the shop were damaged in the incident, per MNDF.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 4:37 a.m., according to MNDF, and firefighters arrived there shortly after and quickly initiated efforts to tackle the fire. Thick smoke, rising from the two-story building, enveloped much of the neighbourhood, and residents were advised to stay indoors. The MNDF Fire and Rescue Service reported before sunrise that the fire was mostly under control but had not been completely extinguished.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
