Electric pole fire causes power outage for 500 residents

On Sunday at about 4 a.m., Arizona Public Service Electric company responded to a report of an electric pole that had caught fire near S Avenue 5 E and highway 95.

Charles Molina, the supervisor of construction and maintenance at APS, said that the high winds combined with anything from a kite string to a mylar balloon could have caused the fire.

APS personnel have been on the scene since early this morning trying to keep the pole from continuing to catch fire.

Since 4 a.m., 500 people in the surrounding area have lost power and may have to wait until 3:00 or later, said Molina .

APS has to change out the burned wooden pole with a new one that is arriving from Phoenix.

Molina said that depending on wind conditions, the power may be out for longer than expected.

For power outage updates, visit https://aps.com/outagemap