Arsonist still at large

The arsonist who set himself on fire while trying to set alight the Lija mayor's home has still not sought treatment at the hospital or health centres.

Police are keeping tabs on the health centres and hospital in case the man turns up, sources close to the investigation said.

CCTV footage from mayor Ian Castaldi Paris's home shows a man walking up to his door on Thursday evening and being engulfed in flames before running out of the picture. He is also believed to have set alight the mayor's garage door and two neighbouring cars by throwing a burning parcel. Meanwhile, the Lija mayor yesterday clarified the statement he made last Friday.

Dr Castaldi Paris said that when he had seen a man running in flames, he was referring to the images from the CCTV footage.

Dr Castaldi Paris also said that he had received a threatening letter two months before Thursday evening's attack but ignored it after showing it to PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier.

In fact, the mayor said, he had not given the letter to Dr Borg Olivier or the Nationalist Party. "I may have said that in the confused state I was in at the time, but it is not the case and therefore should be clarified."