A man died early this morning from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in an apartment in a neighbouring apartment, the police said.

The incident took place in Triq l-Aħmar in Marsascala at about 5.30am. The police said that the fire started in a bedroom.

The man, Gordon Spiteri aged 35, was found in the common parts of the apartment block by members of the Civil Protection Department and the police. He was taken to hospital where he was certified dead. He had celebrated his 35th birthday the previous day.

Reports said that he was trying to help neighbours when he was overwhelmed by the smoke.

Six other persons including a three-year old-child were hospitalised and other residents were evacuated, the police said.

Several ambulance crews also assisted people on site.

Health Minister Chris Fearne said hospital helpline 25450000 has been set up.

A magisterial inquiry is being led by Magistrate Joe Mifsud and police investigations are underway. 

Photos James Caruana

In a statement issued this evening, 12 hours after the fire, the police said that a sergeant and constable were the first on site of the accident, noticing people in upper floor who could not make it out of the apartment. The Civil Protection Department were immediately alerted.

The seragent and constable asked the residents in the block of apartments if there were other people inside the building which was on fire. They were told that there could have been another person who had not come out of the building and had not made contact.

The two officers went inside the building and heard a man shouting that he could not get out. The officers were unable to assist because of the smoke and nhad to leave the building, the police said.

Rapid Intervention Unit officers assisted a family who was trapped on the roof and they were led out onto the road from an adjacent building, as CPD officers were on site to control the blaze.

The man who had been shouting for help was the 35-year-old who was later taken to hospital where he died.

The police expressed their gratitude to the officers who were involved in the operation, particularly PS 692 O. Pace and PC 1038 A. Zammit who entered the building to assist the residents.