What happens when?
White phosphorus is heated with caustic soda.
When white phosphorus is heated with caustic soda solution, phosphine gas $$(PH_3)$$ is evolved and sodium hypophosphite $$(NaH_2PO_2)$$ is formed.
$$P_4+3NaOH+3H_2O\rightarrow 3NaH_2PO_2+PH_3\uparrow$$
This is a laboratory method to prepare phosphine gas.
Phosphine is colorless, highly poisonous gas having a rotten fish smell.