A grass fire at Wied id-Dies in Madliena engaged 25 firemen and 12 fire engines from the Civil Protection Department and took about four hours to control yesterday afternoon.
The fire spread dangerously close to residences and to Busietta Gardens, a residential complex. CPD director Peter Cordina said the fire started at about 1.30 p.m. It is not known whether it was arson or whether was started by accident but the combination of wind and dry grass caused it to spread quickly.
By 5.30 p.m. the fire was under control but the CPD men and vehicles remained on site to ensure it did not catch again.