Copper thief shocked, burned at Puget Sound Energy substation

RENTON, Wash. — A man who apparently intended to steal wire was nearly electrocuted early Wednesday when he cut a copper wire on top of a high-voltage transformer at a Puget Sound Energy substation, officials said.

King County deputies first responded to a report of an explosion about 4:30 a.m. at the substation between Renton and Issaquah.

Firefighters removed the injured man and took him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with second- and third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body, Eastside Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Dave McDaniel said.

The man is in critical condition in the intensive care unit, hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg said.

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