A fire has erupted in Wied Għomor, the valley cutting between Swieqi, St Julian’s and San Ġwann.

Videos sent to Lovin Malta show plumes of smoke covering the area. The Civil Protection Department confirmed that a blaze had broken out and that officers are on site battling the flames.

It is as yet unclear what caused the fire, but people are encouraged to avoid the area. The fire comes just as Malta’s temperatures begin to soar ahead of the summer.

Reports on the scene have claimed that the fire is spreading at an alarming rate.