Explosion, fire at Birkirkara house

Updated with details 4.41pm

Firefighters are battling a fierce fire which broke out after a loud explosion in a Birkirkara property.

Neighbours said they heard the explosion at 4.10pm, followed by the noise of shattering glass as a first-floor wood and glass balcony was blown out.

The incident happened in Triq San Konstantinu.

Neighbours said they believed the property to be empty, having been recently vacated by an elderly resident.

A man who happened to be in the area said he saw somebody rushing out of the property just before the blaze. 

Other neighbours said this was not the first time a blaze was reported at the property.

The plume of smoke near St Helen Church in Birkirkara. Photo: Victor Zammit.

The cause of the incident is unknown. Three fire engines arrived within minutes and cordoned off the area. Firefighters wearing breathing equipment entered the property to confirm that no one was in there and to look for any gas cylinders or any other incendiary material.

The blaze in Birkirkara on Monday afternoon. Dorian Bonnici.

Firefighters in action on Monday afternoon and (right) the charred remains of the wooden balcony. (Chris Sant Fournier)