Two boys who lit a fire which went out of control and caused the horrific death of another boy in an explosion today admitted involuntary homicide and were handed a two-year conditional discharge.

Alurad Bouslama, a 13-year-old Maltese boy, died in the explosion in a small room in Qawra in November 2006.

It had been established that the explosion was the result of playful mischief with fuel and fire by the boys, one of whom was the victim's brother.

They had been in a tool room in a field behind Qawra Church when they started the fire, which caused the fuel to explode.

Alured's lifeless body was recovered from the room by firemen while his brother and a friend, then aged 14, were treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.