Police rules out arson in motorbikes' fire
The police have also not confirmed the exact firestarter, so it is unclear if it was a burning cigarette butt, which is most likely the cause.
By
Aminath Shifleen
A fire broke out in the wee hours of Monday morning in Henveiru ward in the capital city Male, burning a bunch of motorcycles. Police said that the incident does not look to be arson, or a deliberate fire.
The fire broke out at 12:30 a.m. near the Henveiru petrol shed on Meheli street. Five motorcycles were burnt to the ground.
According to the police, based on the evidence they have gone through so far, it does not seem to be a deliberate act of arson, and CCTV footage shows some form of firestarter falling down from a building nearby towards the motorcycles that were later ablaze.
The police does not believe the firestarter of source of the fire had been thrown down directed at the motorcycles, police said
The police have also not confirmed the exact firestarter, so it is unclear if it was a burning cigarette butt, which is most likely the cause. There have been several reported cases of fires caused by thrown burning cigarette butts from buildings.
Videos posted on social media showed the fire spreading throughout the area. Some people are also seen trying to extinguish the fire.
Two weeks ago, two motorcycles parked in a parking zone near Hotel Jen were set on fire. That case was arson and the police had arrested one person in connection with the case.
