Removing weatherboards revealed this 240 volt electrical power cable in left photo. Photo on right of removed cable shows earth wire (three strands on left) completely severed from remainder of earth wire (black top wire) and neutral (black wire on bottom of right photo) completely exposed. Photos don't clearly show partial removal of sheathing on active (red) wire which brings electricity into the house. .

The result was that there was a risk of electrocution and an electrical fire, which would have increased as the rats removed more of the sheathing on the active wire.

Repairs were obviously a job for a licensed electrician.