A fire has broken out in Wied Għomor in Swieqi.

Videos sent to The Malta Independent show plumes of smoke encompassing the valley, which is one of the last green areas between St. Julian’s, Swieqi, and San Gwann, and flames overtaking greenery and trees.

The cause of the fire is unclear and members of the Civil Protection Department are on site extinguishing the blaze.

People have been encouraged to avoid the area for now as the high winds in the area are accelerating the rate of spread of the blaze.