Residents evacuated after gas cylinder explosion in Qawra

A number of residents of Triq it-Turisti in Qawra were evacuated from their homes early on Tuesday morning as a result of a gas explosion in a pastizzeria during the night.

A police spokesperson confirmed that a break in was reported at 6:30am after passers by noticed that a door appeared to have been forced open.

Upon their arrival, police found that a number of gas cylinders inside the establishment were on fire, and that the door had been blown open when the cylinders exploded.

The Civil Protection Department said that one officer, eight fire fighters and three fire engines were dispatched to the scene, adding that the fire was controlled quickly. Once the fire was controlled, the cylinders were cooled down and extracted to reduce the possibility of further explosion of fire.

Residents in nearby homes were evacuated until the situation was brought under control and it was ensured that there was no danger.  

Some 20 people, including one child, and a number of pets were evacuated during the course of the operation.

Nobody was injured in the incident.