Three elderly people were hospitalised on Saturday afternoon after being injured in a fire that started in a garage at Luqa but spread to other properties above the garage.

The police said the fire, at Wesgħat il-Vittmi tal-Gwerra, was reported at 5.30pm. The fire has been controlled.

Those injured are two men, aged 90 and 71, and a 71-year-old woman, all from Luqa. They had to be evacuated out of the building. The 71-year-old man suffered grievous injuries, the other two people slight.

Some animals were also taken out of the building.

An inquiry is being held.