Malé, Maldives – Another fire has broken out at Villimalé children’s shelter, “Kudakudhinge Hiya” today.
MNDF reports that the fire started out in a storage located at the terrace of the shelter and that no-one has been injured in the incident.
The incident was reported to MNDF at 10:46 today the fire was controlled by Villimalé fire station.
Another fire incident occurred at the same facility last month as well resulting in major damages to property.
Kudakudhinge Hiya is located in Villingili which is the fifth ward of Male’ the capital of Maldives. This residential care facility is managed by the Ministry of Gender. The institution is established to provide a safe, secure and enabling environment for vulnerable children who have no other means of primary care. There are over a hundred children residing in the facility.
The Ombudsperson’s Office said that the fire which broke out at the children’s shelter in Villimalé, ‘Kudakudhinge Hiya’, in early May was due to the lack of adequate fire safety measures.
The head of the shelter, Moomina Adam said to local media “Avas”, that a fire alarm system was installed at the shelter during the time of the fire. However, Ombudsperson Niumath said that no such fire safety measures was taken. She said that if such a system was present, the incident would have been prevented beforehand.
She further said that problems associated with the incident noted by the office were sent to the Gender Ministry.
