A south Phoenix woman is recovering after smoke and flames forced her out of her home when power lines connected to her house caught fire.
Phoenix fire crews say the woman had just returned to her home near 7th and Southern avenues from dialysis when she smelled smoke and called for help.
When fire crews arrived, the power lines were sparking and flames were shooting out of the power meter on the back of the house forcing them to wait until utility crews could de-energize the house.
A gas leak also had to be secured in the process and neighbors were kept out of their homes until gas readings were back to normal.
The woman’s daughter tells ABC15, her elderly mother was able to get out of the house but was taken to the hospital after breathing in too much smoke. The woman said her mom was going to stay in the hospital overnight as a precaution, but is otherwise expected to recover.
Wind gusts were strong earlier in the evening, but fire investigators are not sure yet if that’s what caused the power lines to start arching.
