A fierce fire that engulfed the back yard of the Foster Clark factory in San Ġwann yesterday afternoon was fuelled by cylinders containing the flammable chemical acetylene that exploded with the intense heat.

No one was hurt in the fire, which started just before 4 p.m. It is believed the blaze was born as a grass fire in a nearby field and spread into the yard of the food and beverage factory, Civil Protection Department director Patrick Murgo said.

The flames intensified as wooden and plastic pellets in the yard caught fire and cylinders containing acetylene exploded.

The fire was brought under control at about 7.15 p.m. It was not clear last night whether the factory or a nearby warehouse had suffered any damage

The continuous thick, black plume of smoke – visible from several parts of the island – got denser each time a cylinder was heard exploding from the roads surrounding the factory.

Motorists driving up the main road in the San Ġwann industrial estate stared at the scene – a large, up-close, tongue of fire – with some taking photos with their mobile phones.

The factory is situated on the main road of the San Ġwann industrial estates with part built on top of the hill and another on the side. The fire took place in the yard of the part of the factory at the top of the hill. The yard is separated from a string of houses, located higher up the hill, by a field and a road.

As the fire continued raging, residents gathered along the road to see the dramatic scene as fire fighters, visibly exhausted, worked tirelessly to control the fire.

Residents said they spotted the fire at about 4 p.m. One woman said she was resting at about 4.30 p.m. when she heard a loud noise and the door of her yard rattled.