A Naxxar resident yesterday pleaded not guilty to illegally storing fireworks and other explosive material without a police licence.

Daniel Xerri, 38, was charged with illegally storing fireworks without a police licence in a residence in Naxxar, on Thursday.

The arraignment came in the wake of the explosion in Naxxar that killed a man and a woman last week. A garage in a residential area, where fireworks were being stored, exploded on Wednesday in Hal Dghejf Street.

After the incident, the police said it had received several reports from people saying that fireworks were being stored illegally in several places. The police investigated all reports and found fireworks being stored in Santa Marija Street in Naxxar, and yesterday arraigned Mr Xerri in connection with the case.

Another man, Vincent Borg, was on Friday charged with storing explosive material in his garage in Hal Dghejf Street.

During yesterday's sitting involving Mr Xerri, defence lawyer Reno Borg told the court, presided over by magistrate Michael Mallia, that Mr Xerri never made fireworks but that those found belonged to his deceased father.

In fact, added Dr Borg, the accused wrapped the fireworks in sheets of paper and was going to dispose of them.

The court granted Mr Xerri bail against a deposit of e500, and a personal guarantee of e5,000.

Police Inspectors Elton Taliana and Nikolai Sant prosecuted, while Dr Reno Borg appeared for Mr Xerri.