Investigators from Male’ sent to assist in Funadhoo blaze probe

A special investigative team from the police headquarters in Male’ has been sent to Sh. Funadhoo to assist in the investigation into the massive fire that broke out at the island’s petrol shed on Sunday, leaving 20 people injured.

The fire at the petrol shed, located at the island’s harbor, broke out at around 07:00 am, and quickly spread to neighboring buildings. It took hours for firefighters from the Funadhoo Airport and the police, as well as firefighters deployed from the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Kulhudhuffushi Fire Station to put out the large blaze.

The Funadhoo Council confirms that a team from the Major Crime Investigation Department arrived in Funadhoo on Monday morning.

The police previously stated that the team will be assisting in processing the scene and providing additional support for the investigation in order to identify the cause of the fire.

The area where the fire broke out was cordoned off on Sunday.

A spokesperson from the Sh. Atoll Hospital in Funadhoo told Sun that 20 people were brought in with injuries in the incident.

According to the hospital, the injured included two people who were brought in for smoke inhalation, and eight who sustained minor burns.

Another 10 were treated for panic attacks and minor injuries.

The hospital said all 20 were discharged the same day.

The police said the injured included a firefighter and a hospital worker who suffered from smoke inhalation.

The Sh. Atoll Hospital had temporarily suspended outpatient services as it delt with the fire, taking in only emergency patients.

The fire prompted local authorities to evacuate 33 people living in the neighborhood, as well as to shut down the island’s school, which is also located in the area and sustained smoke damage.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports the fire spread to at least nine neighboring buildings; four homes and five workshops and garages.

One of the homes sustained significant damages, and the family of 11 living there have been moved to a temporary shelter.