A woman was critically injured and a man was hurt in a fire that engulfed their residence in Mqabba early Wednesday morning, the police said.

The police were informed of the fire in Karmnu Street at 4.45am.

Members of the Civil Protection Department were called on site to put out the blaze, which also damaged two cars that were parked in front of the residence.

The couple – the man is aged 76, the woman 70 – were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, the police said.

The woman was certified to be in serious condition, while the man’s condition is unknown.

Magistrate Yana Micallef Stafrace is leading an inquiry.