HDC Restores Services, Residents Return to Hiyaa Flat 5

Over 140 people who were provided temporary shelter following the fire in Hiyaa Flat 5 on Friday night have returned to their homes, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMA) said today.

In a post on X, NDMA stated that the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has repaired the sewerage system damaged in the fire at Hiyaa Flat 5 in Hulhumalé Phase II. Water and electricity services have also been restored to all apartments. As a result, 148 people from 31 apartments who were temporarily relocated will be able to resume their normal lives.

The fire, which broke out on Friday evening at Tower 5 of the Hiyaa flats, damaged sewerage pipes serving 38 apartments, prompting an emergency response and the temporary relocation of dozens of residents.

ހުޅުމާލެ ދެވަނަ ފިޔަވަހީގެ ހިޔާ ފްލެޓް 5 ގައި ހިނގި އަލިފާނުގެ ހާދިސާގައި ގެއްލުންވި ނަރުދަމާގެ ނިޒާމު މަރާމާތުކޮށް ނިމި، ހުރިހާ އެޕާޓްމަންޓްތަކަކަށް ފެނާއި ކަރަންޓުގެ ހިދުމަތް އަލުން ދީފައިވާ ކަމަށް އެޗް.ޑީ.ސީ އިން ވަނީ ހާމަކޮށްފައެވެ. އެހެންކަމުން، މި ހާދިސާއާ ގުޅިގެން ވަގުތީ…— NDMA Maldives (@NDMAmv) February 4, 2026

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said firefighters from the Malé Area Command and Hulhumalé Fire Station responded after receiving the report at around 6:30 p.m.. On arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke throughout the building and immediately evacuated residents while ventilating the premises.

According to the MNDF, the fire started in an air-conditioning outdoor unit inside the service shaft between the ninth and 14th floors. Firefighters contained the blaze, but it caused significant damage to plumbing and drainage systems running through the shaft.

No injuries were reported. However, 34 air conditioner outdoor units were burnt in this fire.