MVR 6M in damages in Addu shoe factory fire

The fire at a shoe factory-turned warehouse in Hithadhoo, Addu City, on Wednesday is estimated to have resulted in at least MVR 6 million in damages, according to the owner.

According to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, burned down the building beyond use.

The factory’s owner, Mohamed Shareef told Sun on Thursday that he had been running the factory since 2016, and was devastated by the loss.

He said that the fire burned the factory’s machines and equipment beyond repair.

"The place burned down with all the machines and everything. The equipment there alone are worth around MVR 6 million,” he said.

The MNDF said on Wednesday that the fire was reported to the Hithadhoo Fire Station at 02:49 pm, and put out at 03:35 pm.

The fire also resulted in minor damages to adjacent buildings.

It did not result in any injuries.