Man trying to steal copper shocked by 7,000 volts

LADSON, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say a man trying to steel copper from a utility substation in Ladson was shocked by 7,000 volts and knocked out power to 3,500 homes.

The man was taken to a burn center in Augusta, Ga., with second and third degree burns. His name was not released.

Eddie McKnight of the Berkeley Electric Cooperative said someone broke into the utility substation around 4 a.m. Tuesday. Power was knocked out to a nearby neighborhood for about an hour.

Authorities later went a nearby home after getting a report that a man had been burned and the man was taken to Augusta for treatment.

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating.