At precisely 11:47 AM yesterday, the quiet residential street of Triq San Gorg Preca in Birkirkara was shattered by a deafening explosion. Neighbours watched in disbelief as a house went up in flames, sending a plume of black smoke into the sky, visible even from nearby St. Helen’s Tower.

Within minutes, the streets were filled with the wail of sirens as emergency services rushed to the scene. Firefighters from the Birkirkara and Msida stations battled the blaze, while police cordoned off the area, diverting traffic onto nearby Triq il-Karmnu. An ambulance from Mater Dei Hospital was also on standby, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.

“I was in my kitchen when I heard this massive boom,” said Maria, a resident of a nearby house. “I ran out to see smoke pouring out of the house next door. It was terrifying.”

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but early indications suggest it may have been a gas leak. “We’re treating this as a gas-related incident until we have evidence to the contrary,” said a spokesperson from the Civil Protection Department. Enemalta has confirmed that they are assisting in the investigation.

Residents have been advised to keep windows closed and avoid the area until further notice. “We’re doing everything we can to ensure the safety of the community,” the spokesperson added.

The damaged house has been declared uninhabitable, and the family who lived there has been temporarily accommodated by relatives. The Red Cross has stepped in to provide immediate support, offering emotional and practical assistance to those affected.

“We’re here to help in any way we can,” said a Red Cross representative. “This is a traumatic experience for the family, and we want to make sure they have everything they need.”

If you’d like to contribute to the family’s relief fund, you can do so by contacting the Red Cross on +356 2122 8900 or visiting their website.