Water villas burn down in luxury resort fire

Water villas at a luxury Maldives resort have burned down following a fire early Monday.

The Niyama Resort, in Dhaalu atoll, called in the Maldives National Defence Force’s Fire and Rescue Service to tackle the blaze.

Photos show flames licking the roofs of the water villas and smoke spewing into the sky. The villas appear to be damaged beyond repair.

An MNDF spokesman said the fire was controlled hours later, at around 7am, and that nobody was injured.

Niyama Resort, where a water villa can cost as much as US$1,500 a night, was unavailable for comment.

Police later said the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, Mihaaru reported.

Photo: @MNDF_Official

This story has been updated.