The Maldives Police Service has dispatched a specialised investigation team to Sh. Funadhoo to determine the cause of a major fire at the island’s petrol shed, which left several properties severely damaged, 20 people requiring medical attention and 11 residents temporarily displaced.
Police confirmed that officers from the Major Crime Investigation Department would arrive on the island on Monday morning to conduct a detailed examination of the scene and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The fire broke out at the privately operated Fathmini Petrol Shed on Sunday morning before spreading to neighbouring buildings in a residential area of Funadhoo.
According to the latest information released by police, the flames spread to a nearby motorcycle and engine repair garage, a warehouse, a small vehicle parking garage and a residential property.
Several of the affected structures sustained extensive damage, with police confirming that some buildings had been rendered unusable by the fire.
The area surrounding the petrol shed has since been cordoned off, with access restricted as authorities prepare to examine the scene and collect evidence.
Police said the specialised team would carry out the necessary investigative procedures to determine how the fire started and assess the circumstances that allowed it to spread to surrounding properties.
The incident also involved an explosion, which prompted people in the vicinity to flee the area as flames engulfed nearby structures.
Authorities confirmed that a total of 20 individuals received medical assistance following the incident.
Among those treated were a firefighter and a hospital employee who suffered from smoke inhalation while responding to the emergency.
Other individuals required medical attention after sustaining injuries while attempting to reach safety following the explosion.
Some residents also received treatment for shock and anxiety caused by the incident, which unfolded in a populated area of the island.
The extent of the injuries sustained by those affected has not been disclosed, and authorities have not reported any fatalities in connection with the fire.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has meanwhile arranged temporary accommodation for 11 residents whose home was damaged in the blaze.
According to the authority, the affected residents have been provided with temporary shelter and food arrangements for five days while they remain unable to return to their property.
The assistance forms part of the immediate emergency response to support families affected by the fire and ensure that those displaced have access to basic necessities.
Earlier reports from the incident indicated that the flames had spread rapidly from the petrol shed, raising concerns among residents about the safety of surrounding homes and businesses.
NDMA initially reported that four houses and five garages had been affected by the fire, while police have since provided more specific details about several of the structures that sustained severe damage.
The full extent of the destruction and the number of properties requiring repairs or reconstruction have yet to be established.
The emergency prompted a coordinated response involving local personnel and firefighters from Funadhoo Airport.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) also deployed firefighters from its HDh. Kulhudhuffushi Fire Station to assist with efforts to bring the blaze under control.
The use of airport firefighting equipment reportedly affected flight operations, with a Maldivian flight scheduled to land at Funadhoo on Sunday morning said to have been diverted to N. Maafaru International Airport.
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in residential areas where fuel storage and other potentially hazardous commercial activities operate close to homes.
Funadhoo, the administrative capital of Shaviyani Atoll, is an important residential and commercial centre in the northern Maldives.
As with many island communities, residential properties and business establishments are situated within relatively compact areas, making the prevention and containment of major fires particularly important.
Fires involving petroleum products can present additional dangers because of the flammable nature of the materials stored at such facilities, increasing the risk of rapid fire spread and explosions.
However, authorities have not yet established what triggered the Funadhoo incident, and there has been no official confirmation of whether equipment failure, an accident or another factor contributed to the blaze.
The arrival of the Major Crime Investigation Department is expected to allow police to conduct a more detailed assessment of the scene and examine evidence relevant to the origin of the fire.
Meanwhile, NDMA’s temporary accommodation arrangements are providing immediate relief to the displaced residents as authorities assess the damage and determine the next steps.
Police have said the investigation is continuing, with the affected area remaining closed while officers work to establish the cause of the incident.
