Gżira Ironmongery Destroyed in Massive Fire After 18-Hour Firefighting Operation
A family-run ironmongery in Gżira has been completely destroyed after a massive fire that took firefighters 18 hours to bring under control.
Jesmond Borg, owner of Borg Hardware on Stuart Street, said in a heartfelt Facebook post that the family business was “completely destroyed” by the blaze. The shop had been operating for 37 years.
Speaking about the damage, Borg said: “Nothing is left, at all, not even a nail.” He explained that nobody was inside the shop when the fire started, and the neighbours living above the premises were also away at the time. Borg himself lives opposite the store.
According to the Civil Protection Department (CPD), firefighters arrived at the scene at around 2:30pm on Wednesday and continued operations until 9:00am on Thursday. Their work included controlling the fire, cooling the affected areas, extinguishing remaining hotspots, and preventing the fire from reigniting.
A total of 55 firefighters were involved in the operation, using around 175,000 litres of water and 10,000 litres of firefighting foam. No injuries were reported, while several cats and other animals were rescued.
The CPD described the operation as “particularly challenging” due to the large variety of materials stored inside the premises. The fire affected both the ground-floor retail area and the basement storage facility.
Borg has appealed to the public for support, saying that any assistance, whether large or small, would be greatly appreciated.
"At this difficult time, any form of assistance, including services, would be greatly appreciated. Every gesture makes a difference," he said, thanking everyone for their support, encouragement, and solidarity.
The incident was one of three fires reported in Malta on Wednesday. Earlier, ten people in Qawra were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation after an external air-conditioning unit caught fire, while a car also caught fire inside a semi-basement garage in Birkirkara.
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