A mother and her teenage daughter started the New Year on a bad note when they had to be treated for smoke inhalation after the living room of their Mellieħa home was engulfed in flames, probably caused by a gas heater.

The incident took place at about midday yesterday when Civil Protection Department personnel were called to Great Siege Road to control a fire in a house. There, firemen quelled the flames that had spread to the curtains and other items.

The mother and her teenage daughter, who were trapped in the house, were rescued and treated for smoke inhalation by the paramedical crew of the ambulance that was also called on site.

The police are investigating.