‘I feel like I won the Super 5’: man rebuilds his bar in three weeks after fire

After losing his Paola bar to a fire last month and vowing to repair and reopen it within a few weeks, many thought Francois Attard was making a promise almost impossible to keep.

But Attard has managed to rebuild Eusebio Bar within three weeks, in time for the feast, and he triumphantly opened its doors again last Saturday.

“I feel like I won the Super 5. That’s how happy I am,” Attard told Times of Malta, beaming.

“It’s like I was just handed a new bar – I feel the excitement and joy of when you’ve just started, seeing what we managed to achieve in three weeks.”

Bar owner Francois Attard. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

His is a story of defiance and resilience – and help from friends.

Three weeks ago much of the bar needed to be replaced, as well as a fridge, speakers and TVs. All the wood panelling and other decor needed to be redone.

At the time Attard described the feeling as being “like a death in the family”. But he asked people to help him out and vowed to reopen by Paola’s feast of Christ the King in the last week of July.

‘A lot of stress’

The outpouring of support from the community was immense, he said. Many are now congratulating him and telling him he was an inspiration for not giving up.

“We would start work at 8am every day and stay on till late at night, sometimes till 11pm,” he said, describing the immense task of raising the bar from the ashes.

A friend and an employee joined him in helping workers to replace the wood and change all the electrical systems.

Before the fire I had everything, but I have to start again from zero

“Mentally, you break down; it’s a lot of stress,” he admitted, recalling the financial strain of not earning a penny while constantly spending on repairs.

“Before the fire I had everything, but I have to start again from zero.”

Saturday marked a joyous new chapter as he reopened to an overwhelming response.

“It was packed on the first night,” Attard said excitedly.

“A few minor touches remain. We’re yet to paint the walls, for instance. But the transformation is nothing short of miraculous.”