An explosion was heard before fire broke out leaving Leopard Matches Limited factory at Ginnery Corner in Blantyre in flames on Monday, December 13.

The blaze believed to have started from an electrical fault started early morning on Monday throwing heavy smoke into the sky.

According to eyewitnesses, an explosion was heard before a fire broke out in the company premises throwing huge smoke into the sky.

The fire brigade from Blantyre City Council has arrived at the scene and they’re attempting to contain the fire but the fire is slowly spreading to Eshani Products which is next to Leopard Match.

A number of people have been injured following the blaze but the exact number is still unconfirmed.

This comes about 2 years since fire razed part of the company and destroyed the chemicals which the company uses when making match stick heads.