A fire that broke out at the WasteServ Malta plant in Magħtab on Thursday morning has prompted renewed safety warnings about the handling and disposal of flammable waste, with authorities stressing the need for caution to prevent similar incidents. According to WasteServ, preliminary findings indicate that a truck carrying mixed recyclables from the commercial sector unloaded material that was already on fire into the area designated for receiving recyclable bags, commonly known as the grey and green bags. The blaze erupted at 9:19am and, despite the combustible nature of the materials involved, namely plastic and paper, it was swiftly brought under control within minutes by members of the Civil Protection Department. However, due to the volume and type of recyclables, it took considerable time to completely extinguish the fire.
WasteServ said it is actively collaborating with the police as investigations continue into the cause. CCTV footage appears to show that the suspected driver of the truck was fully aware he was unloading burning material and then drove off. The agency noted that fires of this nature have led to catastrophic consequences in the past, and it was only through a strong firefighting network supported by the best assets at the CPD that the fire was contained so quickly. WasteServ thanked the Civil Protection Department for their prompt assistance and emphasized that the incident underscores the importance of properly disposing of highly flammable materials such as batteries, mobile phones, and flares.
Following the incident, WasteServ issued a public appeal urging people to exercise caution when disposing of waste and reiterated its ongoing educational drive on the risks of discarding hazardous items in recyclable streams. While no specific “keep doors shut” order was part of WasteServ’s statement, fire safety authorities routinely advise residents near waste facility fires to keep windows and doors closed to limit smoke inhalation, as smoke from burning plastics and mixed recyclables can contain harmful particulates and gases. The facility resumed normal operations once the area was declared safe, and all Civic Amenity Sites were confirmed to remain open throughout the festive season, closing only on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
