The southern region of the Local Government Department and the Local Councils Association have condemned the vandal attack on the residence of Zebbug mayor Alfred Grixti.

Mr Grixti's front door was set ablaze last night.

The blaze, in Our Lady of Grace Street, was put out by fire-fighters. No one was injured.

Mr Grixti said when contacted this morning he was at home with his wife watching television at around 10pm yesterday when he went downstairs to prepare a hot drink and smelt a strong smell of fuel.

Back upstairs, he looked out from the balcony and saw water flowing from under the parapet. The front door was burning and the water main pipe had melted. The water coming out of the main kept the fire from spreading.

The door, he said, was lit with petrol that was in a washing liquid container.

The police are investigating and a magisterial inquiry is under way.