A fierce fire engulfed multiple vehicles after it spread to a scrapyard in Żebbuġ, sending thick black smoke into the sky and drawing a major response from emergency services. The blaze is understood to have started nearby before reaching the yard, where it quickly took hold among end-of-life cars, parts, and other combustible material stored on site. The concentration of fuel, oil residue, and plastics created intense heat and flames, making the fire difficult to contain in its early stages.
Civil Protection Department crews arrived with several units and worked to prevent the fire from moving beyond the scrapyard perimeter into adjacent properties or vegetation. Firefighters tackled the flames from multiple angles while dealing with the added risk of exploding tires, fuel tanks, and hazardous fumes released by burning materials. Residents reported hearing a series of small blasts as the fire tore through the vehicles, and the smoke was visible from a considerable distance, prompting concern across the area.
Once the main body of the fire was brought under control, crews began the lengthy process of dampening down hotspots to stop reignition among the twisted metal and debris. No injuries have been reported, but the damage to vehicles and infrastructure within the yard is extensive. Authorities have opened an investigation to establish the exact cause and to assess whether fire safety measures at the site were adequate for the volume of material stored there.
The incident has renewed focus on fire risk at scrapyards and industrial sites, particularly during hot and dry conditions when flames can spread rapidly. For people living nearby, the event was a stark reminder of how quickly a localized fire can escalate when it reaches a facility holding flammable waste. Clean-up operations are expected to take time, and environmental checks may follow to assess any contamination from runoff or airborne particles released during the blaze.
