The driver of a refrigerator van that caught fire on Wednesday was unhurt but needed to be treated for shock and is recovering after his ordeal, The Malta Independent has learnt.

The accident happened in Council of Europe road in Luqa at around 2pm.

A huge explosion was heard from the far end of a company close by. Earlier, employees heard some sort of ‘rhythmic paced explosions’.

The driver was in the van at the time of the incident, however he managed to escape uninjured.

Members of the fire rescue took over 20 minutes to extinguish the fire, which according to witnesses, was completely covered by a thick cloud of smoke.