According to an investigation by police in the district, the fire started at a nearby bush and later spread over to the poles at Buzi primary school where the company was keeping them.

Police officers rushed to the scene and extinguished the fire together with community members and ESCOM officials where only 5 poles were recovered.

No one was injured in the fire.

Ntchisi police publicist, sub-inspector Richard Kaponda says investigations are underway to establish the value of the poles and arrest the suspects to answer a charge of arson.