Bad night for arson

Four vehicles, a motorbike and a door of a house went up in flames yesterday in three separate arson attacks in Zebbug and St Paul's Bay.

Nobody was injured in the worst night of arson since seven cars belonging to the Jesuits were set alight last March.

The first incident, reported to the police at 1.20 a.m., took place in Triq il-Kbira, Zebbug where a car, a Range Rover, a motorcycle and the door of a residence caught fire. The balcony was also damaged.

The motorcycle belongs to a university student, one of the vehicles to a fishmonger and the house to an elderly woman who does not currently reside there, police sources said. It is not known who of them was the target of the attack carried out by unknown individuals.

The police said a fire engine rushed to the scene but the motorbike and one of the vehicles were completely destroyed before an attempt could be made to quell the flames.

A short while later, the police were informed that another vehicle, belonging to a 46-year old notary, was ablaze in Triq Mamo, Zebbug. The fire was put out by the police who were on the spot within minutes.

A jerry can with petrol was found near the vehicle, confirming suspicions that the car was set alight deliberately.

Later, at 5.15 a.m., a Jaguar belonging to an Irish resident in St Paul's Bay suffered the same fate. The fire was extinguished by residents living nearby.

None of the incidents appears to be related to the illegal immigration issue, according to police sources.

Duty magistrate Joe Cassar appointed several experts to help him draw up an inquiry into the three cases. The police are investigating.