Last updated 11.44am
A fierce fire swept through part of a scrapyard and waste recycling plant in Marsa early on Thursday and needed several units of the Civil Protection Department to control it.
The fire, on a site in the industrial zone adjacent to Triq Garibaldi, broke out at about midnight.
It was still producing a thick column of smoke by 8am that could be seen for miles and people in Valletta and Sliema woke up to the smell of burning rubber.
The smoke as seen from Valletta at 8am.Up to 29 firefighters from 11 crews battled the flames with around 320,000 litres of water used, the CPD said.
"It is expected to take long hours for the fire to be entirely put out," they said in an update at 11.30am on Thursday, thanking volunteers and water contractors for helping out.
No-one was injured but medical crews were on site to assist the firefighters amid fears of toxic fumes and a large traffic jam was reported in the area.
Emanuel Psaila from the CPD said the fire broke out in the middle of the scrap heap, which contains metal such as air conditioners and cars, as well as tyres, but the cause is still unknown.
The Environment Authority and the police said the blaze will be investigated.
Nothing except for scrap was damaged in the blaze.
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said firefighters had spent the night battling the blaze and although it was brought under control, the operation was expected to continue for several hours and the fire crews were still facing several dangers.
He said newly acquired specialised equipment had been deployed.
Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.
Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.
The smoke as seen from the air - Photo Daniel Cilia.
The pall of smoke as seen from Qormi on Thursday morning. (Kirstie Eelen)
Firefighters in Marsa on Thursday.