A fire broke out inside a foodstuffs factory in Triq il-Harrub, Santa Venera, on Monday afternoon. 

The building is located adjacent to the factory that produces the popular snack Twistees.

The blaze broke out inside the the factory, owned by Strand Palace Agencies, which also owns the Twistees factory, at around 4:30pm.

Several units from the Civil Protection Department, including a large water bowser, arrived at the scene.

Eyewitnesses said a number of company vehicles were removed from the premises as a precaution.

Most employees had left by the time the fire started and no one is thought to have been injured, although emergency medical units are also on standby at the scene.

Police have told nearby residents to keep their windows closed for the time being. 

Enemalta workers cut off the electricity supply, rendering it safe for the firefighters to go in. 

An explosion was heard inside the building at around 5:40pm.

Sources said the fire started in an area where cardboard and other materials are stored.

CPD director Peter Paul Coleiro said at around 6:45pm that the fire had been brought under control although firefighters were taking all precautions as there were still flammable materials on site and there were fears that the roof could cave in. 

He said 70,000 litres of water had been used to extinguish the fire. 

 

 

Photos and video: Sabrina Zammit and Conrad Bondin