Urbanco threatens to seize flats over cigarette fires at Hiyaa

Urbanco on Friday threatened to seize the flats of those who are caught smoking cigarettes and dumping the filter butts without making sure the filter is snuffed out, as these keep causing fires in the Hiyaa flats.

A fire broke out at H7 of Hiyaa Flat around 8.30pm on Friday. Urbanco said it had received information that the incident, like a similar fire last week, was also caused due to the dumping of a lit cigarette filter, from balcony to balcony.

Urbanco's Public Relations Manager Ahmed Mimrah told Atoll Times Friday evening that the company will not tolerate such indecent behaviour and will take action as soon as the negligent persons are identified.

"Because of one individual, many people cannot be thrown into misery and danger. As soon as we are able to identify the people who throw cigarette filters, if it is proved, we will take possession of the flat. We won't hesitate to do that," Mimrah said.

He said the company has been receiving complaints from the public about the increasing number of such incidents and that these horrifying incidents have led to many Hiyaa residents and children going through a state of sleeplessness and terror.

"We will take over the flats to Urbanco. We won't tolerate it. This has to stop, it needs to be stopped. We don't want a major disaster," Mimrah said.

Urbanco urged everyone to take personal responsibility and stop such acts.