Washroom catches fire in Sta Venera

A family escaped with slight injuries from a house fire in Sta Venera early yesterday evening.

A couple and their daughter were in the house, in Annunciation Street, when the washroom caught fire at around 6.30 p.m.

Neighbours were evacuated as a precaution while nine firemen battled the flames in the street lined with timber balconies.

An eyewitness said he first saw smoke and then flames spreading on the roof. The fire, he said, could be seen from the street. A large piece of material used as a sun shade covering part of the roof was burnt through.

Firemen ran in and out of the house as they tried to control the blaze while gusts of smoke could be seen on the roof.

Informed sources told The Times that the family tried to control the fire in a bid to rescue some pet cats and dogs, which are understood to have survived as well.

The three victims were treated in an ambulance on site.

The street, where five fire engines and the ambulance were parked, was full of astounded people who were either evacuated from their houses or stopped to have a look at what was happening.

Several policemen were also on site.