Footage shows how fast the Magħtab fire spread

WasteServ has released footage of a fire, which spread within seconds at one of its plants in Magħtab on Wednesday, warning people to dispose of batteries safely.

On Wednesday, the Civil Protection Department urged residents in the area of the landfill facility to keep their doors and windows shut after a fire broke out after 11.30am.

On Thursday, it said in a statement that the flash fire spread within seconds as a result of a strong vortex of air.

The fire broke out in a contained area of the facility and was contained within a short span of time by CPD and its employees, WasteServ said.

"Strong winds that changed direction countless times continued to pose challenges, with firefighters remaining on site until the early morning hours when the affected area was completely covered with graded inert material.

"Thanks to the swift action taken by all those involved, no employees were injured, and no damage was sustained to WasteServ’s waste processing facilities."

The affected area was secured and monitored throughout the incident, and in the hours that followed, it added.

It warned that incidents such as Wednesday's continued to highlight the importance of proper waste disposal, and how flammable materials such as batteries, even if small, should never be disposed of in the black bag.

It also noted that the fire was a stark reminder of the urgent need to move away from landfilling.