Near Issaquah, Wash. — Quick Facts:
- Substation is south of Issaquah
- Man was trying to steal copper wire
- He was burned over 60 percent of body
- Power cut to 2,800 PSE customers
Almost 3,000 people were in the dark after a man was shocked and burned while trying to steal copper wire from a Puget Sound Energy substation.
Eastside firefighters and deputies with the King County Sheriff’s Office were called to Southeast 128th Way near Southeast May Valley Road for a report of a burlgary and fire at a power substation south of Issaquah at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The incident knocked out power to about 2,800 customers in the Renton area.
The suspected burglar, a man in his 30s, entered the substation after cutting a hole in the fence. He then tried to cut copper wire off a transformer.
The King County Sheriff’s Office says he climbed up onto a transformer and was shocked.
The man suffered second- and third-degree burns over 60 percent of his body. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.
Puget Sound Energy spent all morning fixing the damage done. PSE says these types of crimes are not uncommon.
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