The massive scrapyard fire that blanketed parts of Marsa in thick black smoke last November came with a hefty price tag.Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri told Parliament that the operation to control and extinguish the blaze cost an estimated €166,000, based on initial calculations by the Civil Protection Department.The figure was revealed in a written reply to a parliamentary question by Opposition MP Rebekah Borg, who asked for a full breakdown of the costs shouldered by the country, including manpower, resources such as water, and disruptions caused by the emergency response.Camilleri explained that while the estimate is still preliminary, it reflects the scale of the operation mounted to deal with the fire, which broke out at a scrapyard in Triq Garibaldi, Marsa, on 21st November 2025.The incident triggered a major emergency response, with Civil Protection officers, firefighters, police and other authorities deployed to bring the situation under control.Residents in Marsa and nearby localities were left alarmed as thick black smoke spread rapidly through the area, sparking serious concerns about air quality and public health.The fire once again put the spotlight on the risks posed by scrapyards and industrial sites located close to residential communities, and the high cost of dealing with emergencies when things go wrong.What do you make of these costs?Credit: Civil Protection Department via Facebook•