MALAVUWE – A 14-year-old boy narrowly escaped death when his family’s hut caught fire on Saturday.

Musiiwa Tshamano said he was boiling candles to make homemade floor polish when the incident occurred.

“I was alone in the hut, preparing candle polish as my mother was attending a funeral in the village,” Tshamano said. “I was using the family hot plate when the candles started boiling powerfully.” The hot wax then flowed onto the hot plate, which caused a sudden blaze.

“I don’t know how I jumped from the hut, but I thank God that I’m alive,” said the visibly shocked boy who is in Grade 7 at the local Mafenya Primary School.

Villagers looked helplessly as the thatched roof of the hut burnt down completely. Fortunately for them the fire did not spread to other buildings in the village. Apart from the thatched roof, no serious damage was suffered.