St Julian’s Inferno: Fire at ‘Il-Bajja’ Restaurant Snarls Traffic

As the sun began to set over Spinola Bay on Tuesday evening, the peaceful scene was shattered by a sudden blaze at the popular restaurant, ‘Il-Bajja’. The fire, which broke out around 7:30 PM, sent plumes of smoke billowing into the air, causing chaos on the usually bustling St Julian’s streets.

Firefighting Efforts and Evacuation

The Malta Fire Rescue Service swiftly responded to the emergency, deploying five tenders and a rescue vehicle to tackle the flames. The fire, which started in the kitchen area, was brought under control within an hour, but not before causing significant damage to the restaurant. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and all patrons and staff were safely evacuated.

“We were just finishing our meal when we saw the smoke,” said Maria, a regular at ‘Il-Bajja’. “It all happened so quickly. The staff acted fast and ushered us out safely.”

Traffic Gridlock in St Julian’s

The fire not only disrupted the evening for diners but also caused traffic chaos in the area. Triq San Ġorġ, the main road leading to Paceville, was closed to traffic, leading to long queues and frustrated drivers. The police redirected traffic towards Triq il-Kappillan Mifsud, causing congestion in the usually quiet side streets.

Commuters took to social media to vent their frustration, with many reporting delays of up to an hour. “I’ve never seen traffic this bad in St Julian’s,” commented one user on our Facebook page.

Aftermath and Impact

The following day, ‘Il-Bajja’ remained closed, its once-vibrant facade now marred by soot and broken windows. The owners have assured customers that they are working to reopen as soon as possible. “We’re grateful no one was hurt,” said the owner, Mr. Camilleri. “We’ll do our best to repair the damage and be back in business soon.”

The fire also raised questions about fire safety in Malta’s busy restaurant scene. The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association has since called for a review of fire safety regulations, stating that while many establishments comply, there is always room for improvement.

As for the traffic situation, the police have advised drivers to avoid the area where possible and use alternative routes. They also reminded drivers to follow traffic signs and police instructions to ensure smooth traffic flow.

In the meantime, ‘Il-Bajja’ fans can look forward to the restaurant’s reopening, while St Julian’s residents and visitors can breathe a sigh of relief that the fire was contained and no one was hurt.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to Hot Malta for updates.