What started as a small grass fire in a field at San Gwann industrial estate at around 4 p.m. grew into a massive blaze this afternoon, spreading to wooden pellets and tanks containing chemicals and acetylene and later to the backyard of the Foster Clark factory. No one was injured.

The Civil Protection Department deployed six fire engines and a private water bowser to contain the fire as it produced a thick pall of smoke seen over a wide area.

Firefighters watered nearby fields to prevent the fire from spreading further.

A series of small explosions were heard and a shopkeeper some 500 metres away from the fire said that the building shook and the glass door rattled with the blasts.

People who live in the area complained that they reported the fire immediately, a major explosion was heard at around 4.30 p.m. but the fire engines only arrived at around 5.15 p.m.

A plume of smoke could be seen from all around Malta, and even from Victoria, Gozo, and many readers submitted photos, some of which can be seen in the slide show above.

Power was turned off as a precaution because of the proximity of the fire to an Enemalta plant.

The fire started subsiding at around 6.30 p.m.

Video: Glenn Borg