Wind-Fueled Fire Tears Through South Phoenix, Damaging Multiple Buildings

PHOENIX, AZ — A fire that started with burning power poles in south Phoenix quickly escalated into a second-alarm blaze Monday night as strong winds spread flames to three vacant buildings and nearby brush.

Phoenix firefighters were dispatched around 10:45 p.m. to the area of 8th Street and Southern Avenue for reports of a power pole fire. When crews arrived, they found multiple utility poles already burning, with wind-driven flames spreading rapidly through brush, trees, debris and nearby structures.

As the fire grew, incident commanders upgraded the response to a second alarm, bringing in additional crews to help contain the blaze.

Firefighters deployed hose lines to multiple locations, working to protect nearby buildings and stop the fire from spreading farther. By the time the blaze was under control, three vacant structures had been damaged, along with brush, trees, debris and several power poles.

No one was displaced because the buildings were unoccupied, and no firefighter injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Salt River Project crews were at the scene early Tuesday repairing damaged power poles. Fire officials said the incident did not result in any lasting power outages.