Car ablaze in Hamrun following 'big explosion'

A car caught fire in Hamrun at around 3.15am, causing damage to adjacent cars and houses, but apparently leaving no victims.

Residents of Mile End Street in Hamrun told MaltaToday they heard "a big explosion" at around 3.15am and, having run outside, found the car on fire.

The car - a silver Toyota Yaris or Vitz - was parked in parallel to other cars in the road, about 100 metres from the Labour Party headquarters.

Police and fire engines were on site about 10 minutes later.

Members of the Armed Forces of Malta's Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit were called to the same street earlier on Monday after a bomb scare was reported.

The bomb disposal experts checked the area and a car indicated by a man who claimed the front seat had been moved since he had exited the vehicle. The search resulted negative.