Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has revealed that 86 cases of fire had been reported to them within the past four months.

At a press conference on Thursday, MNDF Fire and Rescue Service Commander Abdulla Ibrahim revealed that 18 out of the 86 were to do with electricity, 16 to do with mishaps in the kitchen, about 10 fires in vehicles and three onboard ships.

In addition, two fire incidents were recorded from resorts, eight in dump sites, five in the woods of islands, six in dump sights across outlying atolls, six deliberate arson attacks and 12 others were also recorded in the department’s statistics, revealed Colonel Ibrahim.

Colonel Ibrahim further said that the Fire and Rescue call center had received 4,808 calls in connection to such incidents in recent days.

Out of the calls, 447 were to do with acquiring information and 153 were in connection to fire incidents.

The recent hike in fire incidents across the nation is concerning, Colonel Ibrahim went on to say. He added that incidents have sparked due to bad quality in electrical wiring and that the hike could be followed by smokers not completely putting out their cigarettes before tossing them.

The colonel urged the people to take preventive measures so that such incidents may be limited.

Three different cases of fire were reported this week alone.