A baker’s son has revealed the human toll of the mysterious late-night vehicle fires that have been breaking out across the island.
My father is a victim, yet he’s being made to feel like a criminal
Alekseij Cassar’s father became this year’s 25th victim of the officially unexplained fires when his Ford Transit van was destroyed outside his bakery in Sacred Heart Street, Paola at about 1 a.m. on July 15.
Another two stationary vehicles have been destroyed in similar circumstances since then, bringing this year’s toll of parked cars damaged by fire at night to 27.
Mr Cassar said that his father was devastated to lose the van he had bought brand new in 1996.
Not only did it have great sentimental value but the vehicle was used daily to make deliveries and its loss has placed an extra burden on the busy family business.
To make matters worse, Mr Cassar claimed that his father’s insurance company was refusing to pay out any compensation because they suspected the fire could have been started deliberately to make a fraudulent claim.
“My father was nearly in tears when he saw the van was destroyed. He would never dream of doing such a thing himself,” Mr Cassar said.
“He is the victim, yet, he is being made to feel like the criminal.
“It’s an injustice”.
According to Mr Cassar, his brother and a woman both witnessed the fire being started by a man in a maroon Ford Escort, who threw a burning bottle of fuel at the van.
The Paola police were soon on the scene, Mr Cassar said. The case is still under investigation.
In a separate case, Ursula Cehner recounted how she attempted to douse the flames on a parked Isuzu Trooper at Ta’ Xbiex seafront at about 9 p.m. on June 16.
Ms Cehner said she was riding her bike home when she saw the car ablaze and she immediately went to her house to fetch a fire extinguisher.
“I can’t say for certain that the fire was started on purpose but it looked like burning rags had been placed underneath it,” Ms Cehner said.
She did not know who the car belonged to but it was one of three that were damaged by fire that weekend. The other two were parked in Garden Street, Qormi, when they caught fire.
The police have so far not replied to questions sent on July 19 asking whether investigations had revealed if any of the fires were linked and if anyone had been arrested and charged for starting vehicle fires deliberately.
The Civil Protection Department would not speculate on the causes of the fires and the Malta Insurance Association said its members had not yet highlighted a problem with an increase in claims from car fires.
January 8. Toyota Hilux and Fiat Uno in Triq il-Haddiem, Marsa.
January 17. Peugeot 206 in Gorg Mitrovich Square, Senglea.
January 23. Ford Transit at Mistrah il-Barrieri, Msida.
February 4. Seat Ibiza and a nearby Seat Cordoba in Main Street, Zebbug.
March 8. Peugeot 406 in Konti Manduca Street, Naxxar.
April 12. Peugeot 106 in Triq Wied is-Sewda, Zebbug.
April 25. Audi and nearby Kia Sedona in Triq il-Baħħara, St Paul’s Bay.
May 3. Volkswagen Passat in Triq Hal-Mula, Zebbug.
May 15. VW Golf in Triq il-Blajjiet, Marsascala.
May 16. Peugeot 406 in Triq Moroni, Gzira.
May 23. BMW 3 Series and Toyota Vitz in Triq San Pawl, Naxxar.
May 29. Hyundai Tucson and Volkswagen Bora at Ta’ Farsina. Qormi.
June 16. Isuzu Trooper at Ta’ Xbiex seafront.
June 17. Ford Escort and a nearby Renault Megane Scenic in Garden Street, Qormi.
June 23. BMW X5, a BMW 7 Series and a Chrysler Land Cruiser in Ħas Saptan, Gudja.
July 13. Maruti in St Mark Street, Valletta.
July 15. Ford Transit in Sacred Heart Street, Paola.
July 21. Peugeot 207 in Triq Spiru Mizzi, Birkirkara.
July 23. Opel Corsa in Triq is-Salini, Salina.