An elderly, bedridden man was critically injured in a bedroom fire early yesterday morning.

He was taken to hospital suffering from burns and carbon monoxide inhalation.

Sources said the blaze, in Merchants Street, Valletta, was probably caused by a malfunctioning hairdryer, which 85-year-old Francisco Saverio Grech, known as Franky, who has been confined to his bed for the past few years, could have used.

Describing the commotion, neighbours said they were woken up by the victim's daughter, Juanita Grech Zarb, 56, who was desperately crying out for help from her rooftop shortly after 4.45 a.m. She could not go downstairs because of the flames and the man was trapped in his bedroom.

While some of the neighbours called the emergency services, others managed to rescue the man from his bedroom and carry him outside. He was rushed to hospital and found to be critically injured. His daughter was certified to have suffered slight injuries.

The daughter's son, Marcus John, 19, who was in another room at the time of the fire, was unhurt.

The police said the flames were extinguished by Civil Protection Department firemen and Enemalta personnel disconnected the power supply.

The house's interior was extensively damaged.

Magistrate Anthony Vella has launched an inquiry, assisted by court experts, and the police are investigating under the supervision of Inspector James Grech.