Eastern Cape family loses their home due to fire allegedly caused by loadshedding

The Dlisani family, family of 7 from Dutywa, Thaleni Village managed to escape with only their lives and the clothes on their backs last Friday morning.

The explosion, allegedly caused by a power surge, their house on fire following loadshedding.

It is said that the fire broke out only seconds after the electricity came back on.

The community of Thaleni Village and neighbours tried to assist by using buckets of water to douse the flames.

The fire left the family homeless. A backyard rondavel, which survived the flames, has now become their temporary home.

Speaking on behalf of the family,  Siwaphiwe Dlisani, aged 26, explained that she and her 65 year old mother, her son and siblings- including  two year old twins-managed to escape the fire with the clothes on their backs.

Fortunately for the family, no one was injured.

The fire destroyed everything, including electrical appliances and furniture.

She went on to add that her sister had started cooking early that Friday morning when the power was cut due to loadshedding.

She said, “When the power was restored, we heard an explosion around 07:00 in the kitchen. The fire broke out quickly. We suspect the gas cylinder in the kitchen exploded”.

Eskom said that the incident had not been reported to the company.

Zama Mpondwana, spokesperson of Eskom, said the Dlisani family should contact Eskom and have the incident reported.

Mpondwana said that after the incident has been reported, Eskom will then start an investigation into the root cause.

Amathole Distric Municipality spokesperson Nonceba Madikizela Vuso  added that the fire was rreportedly caused by an electrical fault.

To report electricity supply issues, Eskom urges customers to use the  Alfred the Chatbot.