A man threw flammable liquid in front of Lija mayor Ian Castaldi Paris late last night and was caught by the security cameras outside Dr Castaldi Paris' house in Triq is-Salvatur. Two cars and a house facade were extensively damaged.

The man walked up to the house and set fire to the flammable liquid. However, his clothes caught fire and he ran away.

Dr Castaldi Paris said that he was going to bed at about 11.30 p.m. when he heard what sounded like a small explosion. His mobile phone started ringing and he heard knocking. As he stepped out onto the balcony he saw a car burst into flames. CCTV footage showed a man was seen running away, throwing liquid.

It appeared, he said, that the man had thrown flammable liquid at his front door, the garage and his car but as he lit it, his clothes caught fire as well and he ran off in a panic, the flammable liquid being spilt down the road.

The Mayor's car was not seriously damaged, but two cars which were parked nearby were destroyed and the facade of a neighbouring house suffered extensive damage. Dr Castaldi Paris's property was slightly damaged.

The road has been closed off and an inquiry is under way.

Messages of solidarity with Dr Castaldi Paris were sent by the Resources Ministry, the Nationalist Party, the Labour Party, Alternattiva Demokratika, the Department of Local Government and the Association of Local Councils and the Heritage Parks Federation, among others.