Owners suspect arson in boathouse blast

An explosion in a Qawra boathouse yesterday morning left a charred room and suspicious owners but no one hurt.

The owners, who arrived on site after being informed by the police, claimed someone must be trying to sabotage their property since it was the third time one of their two garages in the area had caught fire.

The explosion in the garage in Triq ix-Xtut, opposite the Salina salt pans, occurred at about 10 a.m., setting the room on fire and forcing the doors open.

The surrounding boathouses seemed undamaged but a fibreglass speedboat inside, worth about €1,500, caught fire, together with other fishing material stored in it. Other than that, nothing of value was kept in the garage - not even the boat's engine, the owners said.

The police arrived on site shortly after they were informed by a man who also has a boathouse two roads above. Anthony Camenzuli from Birkirkara was walking his dog when he saw smoke rising. His suspicions were confirmed by Josephine Briffa from Qormi, who also has a garage in the area and was walking her dog when she smelt a pungent odour in the air.

Mr Camenzuli rushed down to see what was going on and noticed the garage was in flames and the door ajar.

He immediately called the police and three fire engines arrived to extinguish the fire.

The flustered owners were on the scene about an hour later, expressing disbelief at the sight of their burnt-out garage. Their boathouse down the road had been burnt twice, said owner Connie Bugeja, pointing out the damage it sustained some three months ago when a gas tank was placed on the centre of a bed and its surroundings set on fire. The fan was also switched on, she noted.

A couple of years ago, the burners of the gas cooker were turned on and the gas was left to seep out, she said, adding that she had found the back window open and had then sealed it off. Both incidents had been reported to the police, she said.

"We should just get rid of everything," Ms Bugeja said, as her husband rubbed his hands anxiously.

"I have no problems with anyone," he insisted.

The padlocks had been broken, he claimed, adding that the garage contained nothing explosive except for a "bit of paraffin" in a can in case of an electricity outage.

The cause of the explosion is being investigated.

Duty Magistrate Michael Mallia ordered an inquiry, appointing various experts to assist him.