A 24-year-old Belco worker is to be flown off the Island for treatment after suffering severe burns in an industrial accident this morning.

The technician was part of a crew carrying out routine maintenance at the Railway Trail sub-station in Southampton when an explosion ripped through equipment shortly after 9 a.m.

The worker, who has not been named, is thought to have been thrown backwards by the force of the blast and suffered a lacerations to his head and severe burns to his face, neck, arms and legs.

His colleagues at the scene were said to be in shock.

The worker was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for assessment but was likely to be flown to Boston this afternoon by air ambulance.

As a result of the incident, substantial number of homes in Southampton may be without power for up to 12 hours this afternoon.

A Railway Trail resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I was at home and I heard this big bang. I came running out to see what had happened. He was lying there on his back , very bady burned. He was conscious but he was in shock and he was shaking."

Belco spokeswoman Linda Smith said the company CEO Gary Madeiros and other senior officials immediately went to the hospital to meet the worker and his family.

She said an investigation is underway into the incident and Belco crews would be working in Southampton for the remainder of the day to restore power.

"The guys were working on a cable test and had come out just this morning when it happened," she said.

"He has severe burns and has been assessed in Bermuda but is likely to be flown out today."

Bermuda Fire Service staff officer Lt. Dana Lovell said there was now a joint investigation between Belco and Fire officers.

"We understand that it was a very large electrical spark that caused the burns. He did not get electrocuted.

"It is a bit early to speculate. We do not have all the facts at the moment but in due course we will know everything."