Arizona's Family reported that early-morning monsoon storms on July 28, 2026 produced frequent lightning, power outages and fires across the Phoenix area. The report described lightning-related tree fires in the East Valley and an attic fire near Central Avenue and Camelback Road. Phoenix Fire said the attic-fire cause was still under investigation and that lightning was one possible cause.
The same storm interrupted service to thousands of APS and SRP customers. Reports like this show that a lightning event can involve more than the visible strike point: fire, utility outages, surges and damage to connected equipment may occur during the same storm.
What Property Owners Should Do
- Call 911 for smoke, fire, heat or a burning odor.
- Do not enter a damaged attic or climb onto a storm-damaged roof.
- Document visible damage after the property is declared safe.
- Arrange the appropriate electrical, roofing, solar, HVAC and lightning protection evaluations.
- Consider protection planning while roof or reconstruction work is open.
Source: Arizona's Family. Valley Lightning Protection was not involved in the reported incident.