Fierce fire at Tal-Barrani scrapyard extinguished by 97 firefighters in 16 hours

Updated Thursday 9.30am 

It took 97 firefighters 16 hours and 1.2 million litres of water to put out a fierce fire that broke out at a scrapyard on the outskirts of Għaxaq on Wednesday afternoon.

The alarm was raised with the Civil Protection Department at around 3.30pm as the flames produced a thick plume of black smoke seen from various areas of Malta.

By 8pm, the blaze had been contained, but it was only extinguished by 8.30am on Thursday. At 9.30am, firefighters were completing cleaning on the site.

The material that caught fire was mainly scrap. Photo: CPD

The material that caught fire was mainly scrap.

Apart from the 97 firefighters, 12 senior fire officers were also called to the site.

Twenty-four firefighting appliances, including vehicles, were used in the operation. 

Emergency responders at the scene. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The CPD said in a statement it was grateful for the invaluable assistance and collaboration: it found from the Malta Police Force, ⁠the Mater Dei Hospital Emergency Department, Transport Malta, CPD volunteers•, the Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit, St John Ambulance & Rescue Malta, ⁠private water contractors and the ⁠J Micallef service station.

"Their coordinated efforts were essential to ensuring a safe and effective emergency response," the CPD said.

Work went on throughout the night. Photo: CPD

On Wednesday, motorists were urged to avoid the area.

Residents in nearby towns and villages, including Żejtun, Gudja, Għaxaq, and Birżebbuġa, were meanwhile urged to "keep all doors and windows closed as a precaution against smoke and fumes". 

Firefighters at the scene. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri told parliament on Wednesday the fire "is not small" and was especially dangerous to fight as several cars and car parts were piled up on top of each other.   

“Unfortunately, it developed at a time when many people are returning home from work," he said.