Parachute flare lands inside Kalkara home as police investigate two incidents

Police are investigating two reports of parachute flares landing on private properties in Kalkara on Sunday. 

A resident told Times of Malta the flare landed in the washroom of her home at about 1.15 pm while the family was having lunch. She said they saw the staircase leading to the washroom "light up" after the flare entered through an open roof door. 

"The flare was so bright, and there was so much smoke, that at first we could not locate it properly," she said. 

Her husband burnt his fingers while picking up the lit flare and throwing it onto the roof before closing the door. 

Police are investigating two reports of parachute flares landing in private properties in Kalkara.

"Thank God we were in the kitchen, and not taking a nap at that time," the resident said.

The parachute flare damaged recently installed roof tiles, tiles in the washroom and a curtain.

"We are hesitant to open our windows and doors, as we are afraid that another one would come in," the resident said.

The resident said she did not know who threw the flare or if there were any celebrations taking place in the locality. She noted that there was loud music in the area, but could not see if there were any celebrations.

The damaged washroom tiles.

Police officers and members of the Civil Protection Department went to the property, and the family filed a police report. 

Police confirmed that they were investigating two reports involving flares in Kalkara. 

A CPD spokesperson also confirmed that firefighters were called to an incident involving a parachute flare on Sunday.

The flare burnt a curtain in the Kalkara home.

Parachute flares are mainly used by boats as emergency distress signals. The spokesperson said the department had previously received reports of such flares being used during events including elections and festas. Using distress flares for purposes other than emergencies at sea is illegal.

People commenting on the original post also claimed that other flares had landed in a scrapyard, in the shaft of another residence and in a field. Others called for festa organisers to be more careful when it comes to the use of fireworks and flares.

Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja Kalkara A.d.1897 said the incident has nothing to do with the band club or with any activity organised by it. 

"No fireworks, flares or similar pyrotechnics were fired from our end. We strongly condemn any act that endangers persons or property," the band club said.