Neelan Fihaara fire: Four schools in vicinity closed for the day

Four schools in the vicinity of Neelan Fihaara, the largest secondhand market in Male’ City, will be closed for the day following the major fire at the market earlier this morning.

The fire at Neelan Fihaara broke at approximately 5:30am early Monday morning and was controlled by 7:30am through a collaborative effort of MNDF, police and the public.

The fire also spread to an accommodation block of Male’ City Council staff, which had completely destroyed in the incident. None of the staff residing at the accommodation block was injured in the fire.

Male’ City Council reported that the accommodation block housed 166 staff. They have all been moved from the area to Imaadhudhin School for temporary shelter.

Four schools have been closed for the day are Imaadhudhin School, Izzudheen School, Villa International High School and Billabong High International School.

Education Ministry initially decided to cancel only the morning session at Immadhudhin School and Izzudheen School. 

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) told Sun that over 250 individuals impacted by the fire have been provided temporary shelter at Immadhudhin School.

Male’ City Council said that 166 of these individuals are their expatriate workers.

Two major fires broke out at Neelan Fihaara in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Both incidents were suspected to be arson.