Temporary housing units burn down in Kolhufushi

The temporary housing units assembled for the people who lost their homes in the tsunami in M. Kolhufushi, have burnt to the ground.

Eesa Mamdhooh, President of Kolhufushi Council, said that the fire is likely to have started due to an electrical problem. The housing unit is built using metal pipes and plywood.

He said that while no one was injured in the fire which took place around 1.30am last night, it destroyed the belongings of the unit’s residents. The fire was under control by 3am.

“No belongings were saved, except for the clothes they had on their back. The extent of the damage is indescribable,” Mamdhooh said.

About 180 people were inside the housing unit, which consists of 40 rooms, when the fire started.

“We were informed that a fire had started in one room which was empty. We broke the door and entered this room, to find a massive fire burning inside. We immediately asked everybody to vacate the housing unit, and started work on getting the fire under control,” Mamdhooh said.

He also said that the residents of the housing unit spent the night at relatives’ and friends’ homes, and that the island’s school is now temporarily made available for them to reside in.

Police said that they are investigating the fire which took place in Kolhufushi.