Updated 11.20am

Police believe a fire that broke out in a block of flats in Gżira on Christmas Eve was sparked because of a fight which may be have been linked to drugs.

The aftermath of the fire in the common area.

One person was hospitalised and 19 had to be treated on site after a fire broke out on Triq ir-Rebħa in the early hours of the morning.

Sources said the fire was believed to have started when used car tyres were rolled into the building and set on fire in the common area.

The incident, the sources said, may have been linked to drug trafficking.

Narcotics were discovered on the scene of the crime. 

Police said the blaze was reported at 4am in Triq ir-Rebħa and that the Civil Protection Department, police and ambulances were on site soon after.

The fire has been put out and investigations are ongoing.

In a tweet, Health Minister Chris Fearne thanked the medical and Civil Protection Department teams for their intervention. 

Investigations are still underway.