An apartment resident discovered her bedroom drapes on fire Saturday when she went to investigate cracking and popping sounds coming from the power pole outside.
The woman said the power had been clicking off and on all day Saturday in the building at 222 L St. when she discovered the blaze about 5:39 p.m.Sparks from the power pole started the flames, which grew to involve three apartments, said Lt. Dan Andrus, Salt Lake City Fire.
The fire apparently started at the top of the pole close to the 12-unit apartment complex. It first involved one third-story unit, basically destroying the bedroom, Andrus said.
Flames then dropped to a bush on the ground and burned their way up the outside of the building from the first floor unit to the one above.
Andrus said the third-floor apartment sustained most of the fire damage, with extensive smoke damage in the units below. Structural damage is estimated at $25,000.
The value of contents on the third floor was unknown - the tenant was not home. Other units in the building were undamaged.
Three engines and a ladder unit responded to the fire. Eighteen fire-fighters battled the blaze.