A chipped, bronze-coloured frame holds a portrait that hangs in the hallway of the Bugeja family’s new home in Naxxar.

There was a time when I’d wake up screaming. I’d re-live the experience, feel that same feeling

“We changed the broken glass, but we kept the chipped frame as a reminder of that day,” says Edward Bugeja, as he points to the sketch of his eldest daughter, Rachel, who lived through the Naxxar fireworks explosion five years ago.

“Rachel managed to survive the blast and this portrait of her is the only object inside the house that was not destroyed,” he adds.

His was one of three houses that were completely gutted during the explosion in Ħal Dgħejf Street on March 12, 2008, a few days after the general election.

It resulted in two deaths. One of the victims, 47-year-old Paul Camilleri, was in his garage where the explosion is believed to have occurred as a result of fireworks stored or manufactured there.

On one side of Mr Camilleri’s home was the house of the second victim – 35-year-old Sina Sammut, who had taken her children, Gareth and Kirsty, to school before going shopping. She had just returned home when the blast happened.

On the other side of Mr Camilleri’s residence was the Bugejas’ home. At the time the whole family was out except for Rachel, who was asleep in her bedroom.

She miraculously crawled out alive, saved by a wardrobe that leaned over her bed and shielded her from the falling ceiling.

The Bugejas’ two family cats, Bell and Thomas, were believed to have died but turned up a few days later, safe but terrified of every sound.

A fourth house, neighbouring of the Bugejas’, suffered structural damage and had to be demolished. The Government assisted the four families with funding for the construction works.

Over the past five years these families have been working hard to rebuild their homes and lives. The plot where the Camilleri home stood remains an empty site while the Sammut house is still under construction.

The Bugejas and the other family have rebuilt their home.

“These have been five hard years,” Mr Bugeja’s wife, Vicky, says. “We had everything and ended up with nothing but, thank God, we’re now settling down again.”

The family had to take out a second mortgage to cover costs as the Government’s assistance did not cater for all expenses. While they built their home, the family lived in an apartment down the road.

Mr Bugeja admits the process was stressful and frustrating as there were times when the anger at the injustice of it all would amplify.

To make matters worse, the families were not informed about the outcome of the inquiry into the case and did not know if it had been completed.

Ms Bugeja misses her original house as it was built by her husband and her father as their matrimonial home.

“Although the house was full of items of sentimental value, the things I miss most are the photos of the children when they were young,” she says.

Rachel adds she cannot show her boyfriend photos of herself as a child and has no memories of her parents when they were younger.

Her younger sister, Sarah – now 14 – also wishes she had photos to look back at.

“Back then I really missed my soft toys,” Sarah says, though at the time she did not really absorb how serious the situation was since she was only nine.

But Rachel has vivid memories of the house collapsing with her inside it.

“I remember the day… there was a time when I’d wake up screaming. I’d relive the experience, feel that same feeling.

“When March 12 is approaching I wonder if something bad will happen. If I could, I’d skip the day entirely.”

But while Rachel would rather erase the memory, her parents believe it is important to remind people about what happened.

“People should not forget. They must be aware that such things [fireworks] should never be kept in residential areas. No one should experience what we went through,” Ms Bugeja says.

Her husband nods and adds: “Fireworks are nice in the sky, but not beneath people’s houses. Anyone who wants to dabble in fireworks should go to places built purposely.”

Rachel adds: “Don’t kill innocent people.”