Three carnival stores at Hal Farrug were completely destroyed by fire this morning.

The fire was most probably started when rubbish left outside the stores caught fire at around 11am.

The fire then spread to an adjacent Nissen Hut used by Sedqa for meetings. Two cars were parked at the back of this hut.

The Civil Protection Department has sent its four Hal Far units on site.

Social Solidarity Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca went on site to speak to carnival enthusiasts who were reduced to tears over the loss of their goods.

They said that only recently they bought €1,000 worth of polystyrene sheets as they started preparations for next year's carnival.