Neelan Fihaara fire: Over 250 people in temporary shelter

National Disaster Management Authority (NMDA) has confirmed that over 250 people impacted by the fire at Neelan Fihaara, the largest secondhand market in Male’ City, remain in temporary shelters.

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. 

NDMA’s media official told Sun that over 250 people impacted by the fire have been provided temporary shelter at Imaadhudhin School.

“Unable to state the exact number of people. However, effort is underway to provide shelter to all those in need. Cannot say how many people there are, and from where they are,” the media official said.

It was also noted by the media official that arrangements were being made to provide water and food for those at Imaadhudhin School.

All 166 Male’ City Council staff impacted by the fire are also at Imaadhudhin School. They are all expatriates.

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