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The first known Santa Maria Fireworks Factory was destroyed following an accident that occurred on the 22nd May 1972, in which John Falzon, a fireworks pioneer in Qrendi, lost his life. In a relatively short time, plans and preparations to reconstruct a new and more modern fireworks factory was being undertaken. A suitable location at a place known locally as 'Tal-Muddejn", measuring some 40 by 35 meter, was purchased from the late Matthew Spiteri, and work on the construction of a new building began in September 1972, shortly after the feast of Santa Maria. Numerous benefactors, amongst whom quarry owner Angelo Ellul provided building blocks at half their original cost, were donated to our society. A good number of volunteers and society members also actively participated in the premises construction under the watchful supervision of Gerald Magro. By the end of 1972, two big rooms and a store were built, whereas by the feast day of the coming year some fireworks were already being manufactured therein, under the leadership of the late Joseph Spiteri.
On the 10th February 1974 another terrible accident occurred at the fireworks factory once again when three of Santa Maria’s Fireworks enthusiasts, Emanuel Aquilina, Martin Mallia and Jack Bugeja lost their lives whilst manufacturing some fireworks. This was a most difficult time for the Society and the joy of building a new firework factory turned into a monotonous and emotional phase. Not losing heart and armed with sturdy will power and pride in placing our society amongst our country’s forerunners in pyrothecnic, work was later resumed at a sturdy pace, turning our society’s fireworks factory into a modern one, meeting today’s standards in pyrothecnic manufacture. Following the feast of 1974, a beautifully stone statue depicting Our Lady of the Assumption sculpted by the current Santa Maria president Martin Formosa, was placed over the entrance to the firework complex, serving to keep a watchful eye and protecting all those entering the Santa Maria Fireworks Factory.
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