VALLETTA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Close to 500 migrants who are being detained in a reception center in Malta had to be evacuated on Wednesday after a massive fire broke out here.
The fire, which created a large plume that could be seen from all over the island, broke out at around 1:00 p.m. local time. Sources said preliminary indications showed that the fire was not the result of a riot, but other sources said the fire broke out after an altercation between some of the detainees.
The migrants were rushed out the center and some of them had to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire was completely extinguished within 90 minutes.
A police spokesman told Xinhua that the exact cause of the fire still had to be determined by the investigations which are underway.
According to local media Times of Malta, 20 people in connection with the incident were arrested.
