Police have taken a 29-year-old man into custody following a fire that broke out at a warehouse on Hiyaa Roadhi in the Galolhu area, raising suspicions of arson.
The incident, which occurred near the Galolhu mortuary last Wednesday, is currently under active investigation. Authorities confirmed that the suspect was arrested under a court order as inquiries into the cause of the fire continue.
Suspect Identified and Remanded
The individual has been identified as Hussain Shahbaan, 29, from Sabunam House in Laamu Maabaidhoo. According to police, he has been remanded in custody for five days while investigators gather further evidence.
Officials have not disclosed additional details about the case, noting that the investigation is still ongoing. This has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the motive behind the suspected arson.
Video Footage Raises Questions
Adding a new layer to the case, video footage circulating on social media appears to show a man entering the property shortly before the fire began.
The clip, shared anonymously on the platform X, shows a man arriving on a black Wave motorcycle and parking outside the warehouse. He is then seen entering the building, dressed in black sunglasses and a white-and-black checkered shirt.
Timestamps in the footage indicate that the man entered the premises at approximately 10:33am and exited just six minutes later at 10:39am. Within minutes, at around 10:43am, smoke is visible rising from the building as bystanders begin to gather in the area.
Could this footage play a key role in the investigation? Authorities have yet to confirm its authenticity or relevance.
Fire Breaks Out in Narrow Residential Area
The warehouse is located along a narrow street adjacent to the Galolhu mortuary, an area not typically associated with such incidents. The fire drew immediate attention from nearby residents and passersby, though no injuries have been reported so far.
As police continue their investigation, more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
