Fire has consumed part of the Kawalazi Tea Estate Factory in the Northern district of Nkhata-Bay damaging tea and tea drier in the process.
Nkhata-Bay Police spokesperson Ignatius Esau confirmed of the development in an interview with the press, saying the incident happened on Saturday night.
Esau said the fire was caused by overheating of tea.
On his part, Factory manager Rodrick Nyali said the fire started as they were drying tea around 9pm.
“It was a normal tea drying process to give it life when we suddenly heard an explosion then flames emanated from the drier,” Nyali was quoted as saying in one of the local daily papers in the country.
Meanwhile authorities are yet to establish are yet to establish the extent of the damage.
Kawalazi Tea Estate produces up to 3.6 million kg of tea annually.
