Police following fireworks lead in Mqabba house blaze

The police are following a link to fireworks manufacture as part of investigations into a house blaze that took place early on Monday afternoon in Mqabba in Triq il-Parrocca.

Nicholas Ghigo, a 79-year-old man was critically injured in the flames and was rushed to hospital after managing to run from his house to a nearby police station to seek help and medical assistance.

Ghigo, who in the past was involved in the manufacture of fireworks, suffered burns to his hands and several parts of his body. He is reportedly in danger of losing his life.                                                                                            

Some reports suggest that Ghigo may have been mixing chemicals used in the manufacture of fireworks, and neighbours reportedly heard the sound of a small explosion.

However the victim's son, Michael, has gone on record as saying that the fire appeared to have started on a carpet and later spread to the kitchen.

He was reportedly alerted to the blaze by neighbours and managed to extinguish himself - using his experience as a fire-fighter.

It was only later that he reportedly learnt that his father had gone to the police station. He also reportedly repeatedly stressed that his father suffers from dementia.

Rescuers from the Civil Protection Department as well as soldiers from the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit and chemicals experts Alfred Vella were also on the scene.