Seeing the Sparks Fly

My parents were down for a visit this weekend. They were helping clean up after Grace's tea party. My dad was vacuuming when it suddenly stopped and we heard a loud popping sound followed by a "WHOA!" from Asa who was in the living room where it was plugged in. We all stopped and looked at each other for a millisecond then went into the room and saw smoke coming from the outlet. Asa said "I saw the fire try to escape!" Yeah, I think we are in need of an electrician!