KHALAVHA - The Netshivhodza family of Khalavha was left homeless after their one-roomed house was burnt to ashes at Khalavha Village on Sunday.

The owner of the house, Mr Mbuyeleni Netshivhodzo, told Mirror that Khalavha Village experiences many breakdowns in the electricity supply and that he always makes sure that the electrical appliances are switched off. Netshivhodza and his wife went to attend a church service at Mandala Village and left no one at home.

Mbuyeleni said that he just saw the smoke from a distance and did not think that it was their house that was on fire.

"We were shocked when we found out that it was our house that was on fire and all the goods had been burnt to ashes," Netshivhodza said. He estimates the damage at approximately R100 000.

"The neighbours told us that they heard an explosion, followed by a fire," he said. According to Mbuyeleni, he and his wife are left with only the clothes they wore when going to the church service.

The homeless family is now dwelling with relatives and they do not have enough blankets.

The spokesperson of Eskom in the Vhembe district, Mr Thiofhi Ratshitanga, told Mirror that his company will send a team of investigators to investigate the cause of the fire. "It is still an allegation that the fire in the Netshivhodza house was caused by electricity and we will wait for the outcome of the investigations," said Ratshitanga. "In most of the cases, we usually find that the fault emanates from the house owner," he ads.

The ward councillor, Mr Richard Tshivhase, told Mirror that he will report the matter to the Thulamela Municipality as soon as possible.