Bowser Blaze: Man Denies Setting Fire to Truck in Qormi

In the heart of Malta’s rural south, the quiet town of Qormi woke up to an unusual sight last week. A bowser truck, used to transport fuel, lay charred and smoldering in a parking lot off Triq San Gorg, its once gleaming silver body now a twisted, blackened shell. The cause? A suspected arson attack that has left the local community and authorities baffled.

Witnesses Recall the Blaze

Eyewitnesses recall the scene vividly. “I was walking my dog around 3 am,” said Maria, a Qormi resident who wished to remain anonymous. “I saw the truck parked there, and then suddenly, flames just shot up. It was like a fireball.” Within minutes, the truck was engulfed in flames, its fuel tank miraculously untouched.

The fire service was quick to respond, but the truck was a total loss. “It was a challenging fire to put out,” said a fire officer at the scene. “The truck’s metal body made it difficult for the flames to spread, but it also meant the fire burned hotter and longer.”

Man Denies Involvement

Police swiftly launched an investigation and, within days, arrested a 35-year-old man from Qormi. However, the man, who owns a small garage in the town, has categorically denied any involvement in the incident. “I was at home with my family that night,” he told police. “I’ve no idea how this could have happened.”

Sources close to the investigation suggest that the man is a person of interest due to a long-standing dispute with the truck’s owner, a local fuel supplier. However, no evidence has been presented to link him to the crime, and he has not been charged.

Community Reacts

The incident has sparked outrage in Qormi. “This could have been so much worse,” said a local shopkeeper, shaking his head. “If that fuel tank had gone up, half the town could have been destroyed.” Others have expressed concern about the safety of their vehicles parked in the area.

Meanwhile, the fuel supplier has vowed to replace the truck and ensure no disruption to his customers. “We’re working hard to get back on the road,” he said. “We won’t let this setback affect our service to the people of Qormi.”

As the investigation continues, the community awaits answers. “We need to know what happened that night,” said Maria. “And more importantly, why.”