This huge, fiery burst of sparks allegedly shows the moment a man was zapped to death as he tried to steal copper wiring from a power station in Mexico.

The incident is said to have happened after the man trespassed onto a facility of the Federal Electricity Commission in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora State.

He had apparently entered the grounds of the state-owned electric company on the night of 9th November to steal copper wiring, local media reported.

Footage of the electrocution – filmed by a woman from afar – shows a large, fiery burst of sparks accompanied by a plume of thick, black smoke rising into the air.

A buzzing noise apparently caused by the electric discharge is clearly audible in the background.

Local media reported that the alleged metal thief was charred to death when he cut through a live wire.

Paramedics called to the scene found he had no vital signs and had received burns all over his body.

His identity is still unclear, but local media described him as young in appearance and of slim build.

Following the incident, one local neighbourhood was reportedly left without power for several hours.

The victim’s body was removed from the scene for a post-mortem examination.