Man Electrocuted After Cutting Copper Wire

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A Philadelphia man was nearly electrocuted while police said he tried to steal copper wiring. This resulted in 1,500 homes and businesses loosing power in Northeast Philadelphia.

The police said the man looked to be either in his 30s or 40s, and he broke into a transformer box by cutting the lock. The box was located along Roosevelt Blvd between Welsh Road and Grant Ave. According to the police, the high-voltage wiring that the man cut was still active. As he cut the wire, it causes a fire around the transformer box.

The man knocked out the power to 1,500 homes and businesses and is now suffering from serious third degree burns. The burns are on his face and his entire upper body. “It appears that this individual may have been trying to steal copper,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police Department. “Although the victim is in critical condition with burns to his face, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and hands — he’s still very lucky because at this time he’s still alive.” 

This is the second time this week police said someone was nearly electrocuted while trying to steal copper wire. An electrical shock in the first incident was so intense that it burned a man’s backpack and shoes on Tuesday morning.

The cost of copper has been more than doubled over the past five year. This is still an ongoing investigation