(Video: James Bianchi/Chris Mangion)

A boat moored inside the Kalkara marina caught fire on Tuesday afternoon, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air.

People in the area reported they heard an explosion before the boat burst into fire. The burning boat was towed out of Kalkara Creek and is currently below Villa Bighi.

A spokesperson for the police confirmed a boat had caught fire but had no further details. The spokesperson said the Civil Protection Department was on site.

It is unclear at this stage whether anyone was injured, or what circumstances led to the fire.

More to follow