Updated 5.10pm

Two men were badly burnt and rushed to hospital on Saturday afternoon after a fire broke out near a fireworks factory in Żebbuġ.

Paramedics rushed Wied Qirda shortly after 3pm following reports that people had been seriously injured in an incident a few metres away from the main complex.

The men, both Żebbuġ residents and aged 58 and 26, were burning some material close to the factory at the time. 

Firefighters, paramedics and members of the Armed Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit were all involved in the emergency response. 

Both men are being treated for grievous burns at Mater Dei Hospital, sources said. 

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli is leading an inquiry into the incident.

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