Thursday 19 Mar 2026
Police, MNDF and ARFF personnel are active near the Prime Godown on Izzuddin Magu, Male' city, where an intense fire broke out on March 18, 2026. (Sun Photo)
A severe fire broke out at the Prime Fertilizer warehouse in Maafannu, near the Thoiba Mosque, on Wednesday evening. The storage facility, containing herbicides and chemical fertilizers, was completely destroyed. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), supported by the MACL ARFF unit, successfully contained the blaze by 23:15. While no injuries have been reported, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) evacuated 32 residents from four adjacent homes to the Maafannu Social Centre for assessment. Operations remain ongoing as teams address lingering smoke and provide necessary support to those displaced by the emergency incident.
The fire that broke out in a warehouse near Thoiba Mosque on Wednesday evening has been fully extinguished, and special arrangements have been activated at the Maafannu Social Centre to assist those affected.
The blaze began around 21:30 at the Prime Fertilizer warehouse in M. Kairu House, a storage site for herbicides and chemical fertilizers. MNDF Fire and Rescue, assisted by MACL’s ARFF unit, brought the fire under control at around 23:15 using an airport fire truck. Although the flames were put out, the area remains heavily filled with smoke.
An NDMA official at the scene told state media that the agency is identifying and supporting those affected by the incident. As part of the response, 32 people from four nearby homes have been taken to the Social Centre for checks and assistance.
އަލިފާނުގެ ހާދިސާގެ އަދާހަމަ: އަލިފާން ރޯވެފައިވަނީ ކެމިކަލް ގުދަނެއްގައި. އަލިފާންގަނޑުވަނީ މިހާރު ކޮންޓްރޯލް ކުރެވިފައި. ގުދަން ހުރި ސަަރަހައްދުގެ 4 ގެޔަކުން 32 މީހުންވަނީ ސޯޝަލް ސެންޓަރުގައި މިވަގުތު ގާއިމްކޮށްފައިވާ އިވެކިއުއޭޝަން ސެންޓަރަށް ވަގުތީގޮތުން ގެންދެވިފައި. pic.twitter.com/Shhe7RmyJ8
— NDMA Maldives (@NDMAmv) March 18, 2026
NDMA says it will continue providing support to all individuals processed through the centre, and its teams are fully mobilized in the area.
The warehouse was completely destroyed, but no injuries from the fire itself have been reported so far.
