Ihusaan Says Ministry Fire Started in Ceiling AC Cables, Not Arson

Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan has stated that the fire at the building housing three government ministries in Malé was not an act of arson, but rather an incident caused by an electrical fault.

Responding to a query from Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad during Tuesday’s Parliament sitting, Minister Ihusaan stated that international assistance was sought to investigate the fire that broke out at three ministries. He further noted that the investigation has been concluded through the joint efforts of foreign agencies and the Maldives Police Service.

Minister Ihusaan noted that the investigation revealed the incident was not an act of arson. He further stated that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, adding that this was clearly evident in the body-worn camera footage recorded by the first responding police officers at the scene.

The Minister further stated that the fire initially broke out in the wiring of the air conditioning units located within the ceiling. Minister Ihusaan also noted that the extent of the property damage caused by the incident is currently unknown to the Ministry and will require further assessment to clarify.

The investigation indicates that this was not an incident of arson. Evidence from the initial response, including police body camera footage, clearly shows that the fire originated from an electrical fault. The fire first broke out within the wiring of the air conditioning units located inside the ceiling.

Ali Ihusaan

The building, which housed three government ministries, was struck by a fire on December 12, 2024. The blaze completely destroyed the structures containing critical documents belonging to the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Environment, as well as the Male' City Council.