In the quiet Maltese town of Mellieħa, a late-night blaze on Tuesday turned a minibus into a smoldering shell, leaving residents awoken by the inferno wondering what could have caused such a fiery spectacle.

The fire, which broke out around 11:30 PM at the minibus parking lot near the Mellieħa Local Council, was tackled by four fire appliances and around 20 firefighters. The intense heat could be felt from a distance, with flames leaping high into the night sky, visible even from the nearby St. Paul’s Bay promenade.

“I woke up to the sound of explosions,” said Joe, a resident who lives nearby. “I looked out my window and saw the minibus engulfed in flames. It was like a scene from a movie.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest it may have started from within the minibus. The vehicle, used by a local operator for daily routes, was completely destroyed, leaving only its charred chassis and a few recognizable parts.

Mellieħa Mayor Deo Debattista expressed his concern, “We’re relieved no one was hurt, but this could have been much worse. We’re cooperating fully with the police and fire services to determine the cause.”

The destroyed minibus was one of several used by the operator for daily runs to and from Mellieħa. While alternative arrangements have been made to maintain the service, some passengers may face delays in the coming days.

“We’re doing our best to keep services running smoothly,” said a spokesperson for the operator. “We appreciate our passengers’ understanding during this time.”

As the investigation continues, residents of Mellieħa hope that this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety, especially in areas with high vehicle density.

“We’re lucky it wasn’t worse,” said Joe. “Let’s hope we can all learn from this and stay safe.”