16 treated, 4 houses damaged in Sh. Funadhoo fuel shed fire
Funadhoo Hospital confirmed that 16 people, including two individuals involved in firefighting efforts, were receiving treatment following the incident.
A fire at a fuel shed near the harbour in Sh. Funadhoo on Sunday morning damaged four houses and five workshops, while 16 people received hospital treatment for burns, smoke inhalation and other medical conditions.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said the fire, which spread through the area amid strong winds, had been brought under control.
Police officers, firefighters and members of the public were involved in efforts to extinguish the fire.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), four houses and five workshops or garages in the area sustained damage.
One house was severely damaged by the fire, while three neighbouring houses sustained varying degrees of damage.
Although firefighters brought the blaze under control, NDMA said sounds of objects exploding could still be heard in the area.
As a precaution, residents of nearby houses were temporarily relocated to other homes.
NDMA said several people affected by smoke were receiving treatment at Funadhoo Hospital, while the authorities continued to monitor the situation.
Funadhoo Hospital confirmed that 16 people, including two individuals involved in firefighting efforts, were receiving treatment following the incident.
The patients comprise 12 men and four women.
According to the hospital, six people were being treated for burns, although none had sustained serious injuries.
Another six people were receiving treatment for smoke inhalation, while four were being treated after losing consciousness.
NDMA said it was working to identify people requiring humanitarian assistance following the fire and arrange support for those affected.
The authority also said it was coordinating with relevant agencies to assess the damage and provide assistance to affected households.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established.
