Broken glass showered Republic Street after the windows of the courtroom exploded. This was caused by the fire that broke out in magistrate Mizzi’s chambers at around 6.10am yesterday and later spread to the courtroom.

A court marshal, 43-year-old Louis Borg, was seriously injured in the incident and is in critical condition. Sources said he has been stabilised, despite his serious condition.

Police have ruled out the possibility of arson. The fire broke out when Mr Borg switched on an airconditioner in the early hours of the morning, in preparation for the day of work ahead.

The files of pending court cases stored in the chamber were lost in the fire.

Members of the civil protection were called in to control the flames. The windows of the courtroom in question were all broken by the power of the fire and the ensuing blackness was very visible from outside the lawcourts.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman has launched an inquiry and has appointed various experts to help.

The fire damage was extensive and all the cases to be heard in the Magistrates’ Court between today and Friday have been postponed. The cases to be heard in front of judges today and tomorrow were also put off.

The public has been asked find out the new dates of their respective cases by asking the registries concerned. The registries of both the criminal and the civil court will remain open as usual.

All Family Court sittings presided over by Mr Justice Raymond Pace and Magistrate Anthony Vella, in the court annexe will be heard as scheduled.