The woman tried to pull him away from the vault when it caught fire and exploded, but the electricity traveled through her body and she received severe burns, South Gate police spokesman Lt. Keith Huff said. He said she was taken to St. Francis Medical Center and transferred Saturday night to the Grossman Burn Centers.

Two small children were found in a truck 15 feet from the accident but were not injured. They were being held by childrens’ services workers, Huff said.

The electrical vault was on a lot at 3064 Firestone Blvd., at the corner of South Gate Avenue. The lot was the former site of Liberty Cable Company but has been unoccupied for more than a year, Huff said.

He said that the explosion at 4:14 p.m. knocked out power across the west side of South Gate, and that the power was largely restored by the evening.

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Submitted on 08/09/2013

Submitted by: darwinfan!
Reference: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/10/copper-wire-stealing-electrocuted.html

Copyright © 2013 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Yet another crispy copper crook caper for Darwin!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Hey! A copper copping lady crook! Haven't seen that in ages! Thanks!

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