A family from Ekurhuleni wants the municipality to rebuild their house and replace their furniture after their home was gutted by a fire allegedly caused by an electric fault.

Sthembile Rasmeni, 53, of KwaThema lost everything he worked for in a fire that was allegedly caused by electricity cables dug up in front of his house.

"The municipality dug up the big hole to move an apollo light more than three months before the fire, but it has now cost me my house and all I've ever worked for," said Rasmeni.

He said since the April 27 incident, he and his relatives have been sleeping at a neighbour's house.

They have no clothes, blankets, food and identity documents.

Rasmeni told Sowetan he was grateful to be alive and recalled how he escaped the raging fire.

"I was sleeping with my 27-year-old son in the house. We were woken up by flames that started from the power box outside our home and spread through the ceiling and the rest of the house," he said.

His son Mpumelelo said losing his home has left him devastated. "I'm a deejay and sadly I have lost all my equipment and furniture," he said.

Mpumelelo said his younger sister lost her school uniform and books and had missed school for more than a week.

Neighbour Nocawe Mokoena said she has been housing the family since the incident.

"Myself and other neighbours have been supporting the family with shelter, food and we bought them clothes," said Mokoena.

City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe said: "We can confirm that we have been to the affected house to begin with investigations and we have assured the family that the investigation will be closed speedily this week."

Gadebe said the investigative report would guide them on what action will be taken.