The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has urged people to wear masks while in the area of the fire incident in Male' City.
A major fire broke out at the secondhand items market on January 9 in the capital city. Smoke has spread into the atmosphere due to the intensity of the fire. Therefore, HPA has advised people to wear facemasks when in the area. HPA also advised people living in the area to close doors and windows to protect themselves from the smoke.
Smoke can have serious side effects on the respiratory system as well as on people with heart disease. HPA advised seeking medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or severe dizziness.
Meanwhile, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has provided temporary shelter to 166 people after the fire broke out in the secondhand items market. Due to the fire, accommodation blocks where many foreign labourers were living were completely burnt down.
Speaking to PSM News, Chief Executive of NDMA Hisaan Hussain said the burnt accommodation blocks were occupied by foreign employees of the Male' City Council and Rainbow Construction Private Limited. He said there are 166 employees living in the block which include 165 Bangladeshis and one Indian. Imaadhuddin School has been arranged as a temporary shelter for the people and food items have been provided to them, added NDMA.
MCC revealed no injuries have been reported in the incident, adding efforts are underway to provide housing for them. NDMA said 133 foreigners who were in the accommodation block of Rainbow Construction Private Limited have now been transferred to other accommodation blocks of the company. The Rainbow accommodation block consists of 127 Indians, three Bangladeshis, and three Nepalese.
Moreover, some schools in the area have been closed due to the fire incident. Ministry of Education has decided not to hold classes at the nearby Imaadhuddin School and Izzuddin School.
The fire spread to adjacent accommodation blocks within hours as there was a short time as there was wood and flammable goods in the market. People were immediately evacuated from the accommodation blocks. The fire lasted almost three hours before it was controlled by the Fire and Rescue Team of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting, and the Maldives Police Service (MPS).