The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has said an assessment of the damage caused by a fire that broke out in a Hulhumalé apartment early Monday morning will be conducted within the week.

Speaking to State media, NDMA Chief Executive Hisan Hassan said the assessment would determine the extent of the losses caused by the fire. However, he noted that the apartment had sustained significant damage and was currently unfit for occupation.

NDMA has already provided humanitarian assistance to the family affected by the incident. Hisan said the household consists of six family members and will receive further assistance in accordance with the authority's policies once the assessment is completed.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said that the fire was reported to the Hulhumalé Fire Station at approximately 4:32 a.m. on Wednesday. The fire was extinguished at 4:58 a.m. MNDF said the fire originated from a water-heating jug used in the kitchen of a ground-floor apartment in Hulhumalé Flat 141.

Six people living in the apartment were taken to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation. However, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.