Updated: Man injured in gas explosion

A 57-year-old man from Ta'Xbiex was seriously injured this morning in a gas explosion at the Half Way Bar in Rudolph Street, close to the police station in Sliema.

The explosion happened at about 4 a.m. and was powerful enough to blast masonry into the street, which was immediately closed.

Policemen were quickly on the scene and, with some risk to themselves, carried the man from the bar and gave him first aid.

Rescuers from the Civil Protection Department were also quickly on the scene and helped put out some fires.

People living in apartments above the bar were evacuated as a precaution. Nearby cars and a number of windows, including one at the police station across the road, were damaged by the blast.