Garage, where fire broke out, in operation without permit

Reliable sources have confirmed to Sun that the garage based at M. Nirufehi, the scene of a major fire on early Thursday morning, was in operation without the required permits.

In this regard, Sun has learned that the owner of the garage requested Male’ City Council for the permit to operate a garage back in last year’s February; a request that was denied.

A small café was previously run at M. Nirufehi, prior to the garage, which has been in operation for over two years now. Male’ City Council has declined to issue the permit to operate the garage, as the operation of garages and workshops at residential homes is prohibited by law.

In an earlier statement to Sun, the owner of the garage said that he believes the fire originated near the wooden staircase that leads up to the migrant quarters.

He said he had been in Hulhumale’ when the fire broke out, and had cut off power to the main circuit breaker as usual before he closed the garage.

As per the owner, the garage housed empty gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders. Two pickups had also been inside. 

He placed the loss from the fire, with the vehicles and the equipment in the garage, at MVR 700,000. 

The fire saw the death of 10 migrants.