An Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited  (Escom) transformer burst into flames in Nkhata Bay in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Malengamzoma electrocuting several people and destroying a lot of private property.

Hundreds of people have since been rendered destitute, at least those whose houses were connected to Escom electricity in the area.

Ward councilor for the area, Esau Chinyimba, told us this morning that among those electrocuted is a form 4 student who was sitting for MSCE exams underway at Chifira Community Day Secondary school (CDSS).

He has been admitted to Mzuzu Central hospital for severe burns and and suspected paralysis.

According to Chinyimba, the incident happened soon after ESCOM switched on an overhead line after a scheduled power blackout which started from 8pm.

ESCOM is yet to give its side of the story.