Firefighters battled through the night to contain a fierce blaze that erupted following a loud explosion inside a property in Birkirkara on Monday afternoon.
The fire broke out in Triq San Konstantinu at around 4.10pm, with residents reporting hearing a powerful explosion moments before flames engulfed the building.
Neighbours said the blast was followed by the sound of shattering glass as a first-floor wooden and glass balcony was blown outward by the force of the explosion.
Civil Protection Department crews rushed to the scene and spent hours fighting the flames as thick smoke billowed across the area. One resident was assisted by emergency personnel and admitted to hospital for further treatment.
The road remained closed on Tuesday morning amid concerns over possible structural damage to the building caused by the explosion and subsequent fire.
Residents in the area said they believed the property had recently been vacated by an elderly resident and was thought to be empty at the time of the incident.
However, one eyewitness who happened to be nearby claimed he saw a person rushing out of the building shortly before the fire intensified.
Neighbours also said this was not the first fire-related incident reported at the property in recent years.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion and the blaze.
Earlier.
A gas cyclinder has exploded in Costantino Street, Birkirkara with flames seen coming out of a balcony. Sources on site told The Maltese Herald that there are two more cylinders that are also expected to explode. Civil Protection personnel are on site and the area is being evacuated.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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