Grain silos badly damaged in blaze

A huge fire at the Kordin Grain Silos on Thursday night caused extensive damage to equipment at the terminal and resulted in the temporary suspension of loading and unloading operations from ships.

Firemen battled the blaze for over four hours. Luckily no one was injured.

The management said it was doing its best to ensure that the distribution of grain continued regularly. It was carrying out an estimate of the damage caused by the fire which was reported at about 11.30 p.m.

Members of the fire division of the Civil Protection Department, headed by Peter Cordina, rushed to the terminal where they managed to control the fire at about 4 a.m., yesterday.

The blaze engulfed the gantry crane and the ship loader at the terminal but thanks to the firemen's quick action it did not spread to offices or the grain storage area, the management said.

Buildings belonging to Malta Shipyards close by were evacuated as a precaution.

The management said there was no danger to the terminal area.

The police are investigating the possible cause of the fire. An internal inquiry is also being conducted.

The Kordin Grain Terminal board and management expressed appreciation at the "courage and efficiency" demonstrated by Civil Protection Department personnel during the fire fighting operation.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman opened an inquiry and appointed a team of experts to draw up reports.

Officers from the police criminal investigation department and the Paola district are investigating.