Fire destroys two Kingman businesses

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- A powerful storm swept through northwest Arizona on Sunday, destroying two businesses and causing scattered power outages.

The Hualapai Valley Fire Department said lightning struck an electrical transformer, sparking a blaze that gutted Uptown Drug and the adjoining Kings Liquor in north Kingman.

Firefighters who initially entered the block masonry structure about 7 p.m. were driven back by intense heat and smoke before they retreated farther because the roof was about to collapse, Fire Chief Wayne Eder said.

No one was injured in the fire that caused an estimated $3 million in damage to the businesses and contents.

Lightning and wind triggered several power outages, most of them relatively brief. UniSource Energy executive Tom Ferry said the storm brought down seven utility poles and power lines near the community of Yucca, south of Kingman.

Ferry said 500 Yucca area customers were without power for more than 14 hours before service was restored about 2 p.m. Monday.