Minister: Blaze that burned down ministries originated from AC wires, it wasn’t arson

The large blaze in 2024 that burned down a block of government buildings in Male’ City – including three ministries – resulted from the wires of air conditioning systems catching fire, says Home Minister Ali Ihusan.

Ihusan, who was summoned to the Parliament on Tuesday morning, was questioned by Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fitte), the deputy leader of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group, regarding the fire at the Green Building Complex.

Ihusan responded that authorities have concluded the investigation into the fire, and found no evidence of arson.

“Bodycam footage from the police officers who were the first to attend to the scene of the fire during the initial stage proves that the fire originated from air conditioning system wires in the ceiling,” he said.

Ihusan said that he planned to hold a press conference to disclose additional details.

The fire broke out at a block of government buildings located in the Ameenee Magu of Male’ City at around 06:00 am on December 12, 2024. The buildings housed the Housing Ministry, Infrastructure Ministry, Environment Ministry, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and three sections of the Male’ City Council – including the Vital Registration Department.

It marked the worst fire at a government building in the country’s history.

The massive fire led to loss of important documents, including those related to housing.

The failure to disclose timely information regarding the fire spurred speculations, including allegations of arson.

Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom stated that the fire raises multiple questions, and slammed authorities for failure to disclose the documents that got lost in the blaze.