Last Thursday, parts of Phoenix and nearby Tempe were hit with a sticky, fuel-like drizzle that was definitely not in the forecast. The substance coated cars, carried a strong gas smell and left some residents feeling sick. One Phoenix woman said droplets burned her eye badly enough that she ended up in the emergency room. Neighbors across multiple blocks now say they want answers as military and city officials sort out what fell from the sky and why.
Neighbors describe rain that burned an eye and left a film
Stephanie Bagorio said she initially thought she was walking through a light rain before she realized the droplets felt chemical, not natural. Shortly after, her eye became swollen and painful, and she went to a hospital to have it flushed.
Other neighbors reported that the mystery liquid left a visible film on cars and continued to smell like gasoline days later. Multiple people sought medical evaluations after coming into contact with it.
Investigators with ABC15 confirmed that Phoenix police and the Phoenix Fire Department responded the night of the incident near 45th Street and Broadway. Similar reports also came in from Tempe neighborhoods, according to the same outlet.
Army says it’s looking into a possible aircraft fuel release
A U.S. Army spokesperson said the service is “aware of an incident potentially involving an Army aircraft and fuel release near Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 5, 2026,” and that officials are coordinating with the Tempe Fire Department and Environmental Services to assess any impact…