Hinmafushi Council Office "set on fire"

Hinmafushi Council has stated that the island’s Council Office was “set on fire” last night, leaving office burnt and useless.

Hinmafushi Council President Shaan Ibrahim told Sun Online today that he was notified of the fire late last night and that the fire was contained within 12 minutes of them being notified, through a joint effort by police and locals.

"A local reported the incident, around 3 am early morning last night. The police were notified first, then the council. The fire was contained within 12 minutes of us being notified,” Hinmafushi Council President Shaan Ibrahim said.

Hussain, a senior member of the Hinmafushi Council Office staff said that the damage to the building has rendered it useless and that the Council’s work will be conducted in tents set up in the office's compound today.

Shaan said that chairs, desks and a large quantity of documents have been burnt in the fire.

Police have also confirmed that they had conducted a joint operation with the locals of Hinmafushi to contain a fire that was ablaze in the island’s council office. A police team is currently in the island to investigate the fire, Police said.

Council President Shaan said that he suspects it was as intentional act of arson.

“We believe this is intentional, because a window has been broken. A cupboard inside [the office] has also been moved. We had locked up the office. A police investigation team from Maafushi are now on their way. We will know then,” Shaan said.