Marsa Scrapyard Fire Extinguished After 24-Hour Battle in Malta

Major Blaze Contained in Marsa

A significant fire that broke out at a scrapyard on Triq Garibaldi in Marsa, Malta, on Friday morning, November 21, 2025, has been fully extinguished. The Civil Protection Department (CPD) confirmed on Saturday afternoon, November 22, 2025, that the blaze, which raged for nearly 24 hours, was brought under control after an intense and coordinated effort by emergency services. The fire, which started around 10:00 AM on Friday, was initially contained within five hours, but full extinguishment required continuous operations throughout the night and into Saturday.

Extensive Firefighting Operation

The scale of the firefighting effort was substantial, pushing emergency teams 'to their limits,' according to the CPD. The operation involved 153 firefighters and 16 senior fire officers, deploying 30 fire appliances. Fire crews utilized approximately 4.7 million litres of water and 30,000 litres of firefighting foam to douse the flames. The Civil Protection Department extended its gratitude to numerous assisting agencies, including the Malta Police Force, Transport Malta, LESA, Mater Dei Hospital's Emergency Department, CPD Volunteers, Emergency Fire & Rescue Unit (EFRU), St John Ambulance & Rescue Malta, Detention Services, Cleansing Malta, and private water contractors.

Public Safety Measures and Disruptions

Throughout the incident, large plumes of thick black smoke were visible from various localities, including Paola, Tarxien, and Blata l-Bajda, and were even reported to be visible from space. Residents in nearby towns and villages were repeatedly advised by authorities to keep all doors and windows closed as a precaution against smoke and fumes. Health authorities issued warnings about potential respiratory symptoms from smoke inhalation. As a safety measure, Triq Garibaldi was closed in both directions, and the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery was also temporarily shut down. Workers in plants close to the scrapyard were evacuated after 'small explosions' were heard from vehicles within the blaze. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Context of Recent Incidents

This fire marks the second major blaze at the same scrapyard location in the past four years, with a previous significant incident occurring in September 2021. Furthermore, it is the second scrapyard fire to occur in Malta within a week, following another industrial fire in Għaxaq/Żejtun the previous week. The Civil Protection Department highlighted that the Marsa operation showcased an 'extraordinary level of endurance, coordination and courage' from Malta's emergency services.