Five individuals were injured in a fire at an apartment in Hulhumalé, specifically at Flat 110, during the early hours of Thursday, with one person suffering burns.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) reported receiving a fire alert at approximately 1:10 a.m. for a ground-floor apartment. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames by around 1:23 a.m.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), initial investigations suggest that the fire may have started from a tool used for melting materials, such as a glue gun or plastic welding device, which was located in the living room of the apartment.

At the time of the incident, seven Maldivians were inside the apartment, comprising four adult men, one adult woman, and two children.

The NDMA stated that five people are currently receiving hospital treatment. One of the injured has burns covering about 12 percent of their arms and legs.

The authority also noted that the apartment sustained extensive damage and is no longer suitable for occupancy. They are providing temporary accommodation and humanitarian aid to the affected family.

Additionally, the NDMA arranged temporary housing for eight residents from two other apartments in the building, as smoke damage rendered those units on the first and third floors uninhabitable.