CYPRESS, Texas – A group of contractors working on underground cables accidentally hit an electrical line, causing a major fire Friday at a home in Cypress Friday, according to the Harris County Fire Marshal.
“You never expect the call,” said Joyce Skala. “My home was my life. I’ve been a homemaker for 14 years.”
“My wife called, obviously panicked to say the house is on fire,” said Kyle Skala.
According to the Fire Marshal, contractors with AT&T were digging in the neighborhood, trying to run new fiberoptic cables, when they reportedly accidentally hit some underground electrical cables.
Fire investigators said the impact sent electricity shooting through those cables and down the street into the Skala family’s home.
A couple of neighboring homes also were damaged, but those fires were minor.
The Skala family home is a total loss.
“I could smell it down 2, 3 miles away and instantly knew, yeah. It’s serious,” Kyle said.
If you’d like to help the family, you can donate to their GoFundMe Page.
AT&T released the following statement:
“We are in contact with one of our contractors, who we understand is working with the authorities on an investigation into what happened. Our understanding is the fire marshal is still investigating and has not determined the cause yet.”