A 42-year-old man has been burnt to death after fire gutted the house of matron at Holy Family Mission hospital in Phalombe.

Police in the district has identified the deceased as Heremence Kalitera who was a brother to the matron, Ms. Sabina Sessy Kalitera.

According to Ms. Kalitera, the incident happened on Sunday morning around 0800hrs.

It is reported that Ms. Kalitera had gone for church services at Holy Family Catholic Parish leaving the deceased alone in the house.

At a later time, neighbours were shocked to have seen the house burning. They tried to put out the fire and also to rescue the person inside but it proved futile.

Police were called to the scene and found the deceased already burnt to death.

Meanwhile, police are yet to establish the cause of the fire.

The deceased hailed from Mkundi village in the area of Traditional Authority Mabuka in Mulanje district.