An elderly woman was lucky to escape uninjured when a fire broke out at her Siġġiewi house yesterday afternoon.
Sources said the fire broke out in the main bedroom, probably the result of a short circuit in an air-conditioning unit.
Flames spread quickly, giving her very little time to act.
The woman, who lives in Triq id-Difa, was treated for shock.
A man who was working on a development site close by intervened to help the woman and was later treated for smoke inhalation.
Civil Protection Department personnel were called to control the fire when it spread to curtains and furniture, leaving a trail of destruction.