Video Shows Utility Worker's Escape As Live Wire Catches Fire

MANCHESTER, NJ — Police frequently issue warnings telling people to stay away from downed wires during storms, because of the danger they pose.

Well, Manchester Township police captured video of just how dangerous it can be to handle wires that still have electricity flowing through them.

In video posted to the police department's Facebook page Monday evening, a utility worker is shown handling a wire that was brought down during the storm that blew through Monday morning.

The wire was believed to be de-entergized, but when the wire hits a puddle after the worker flips it off the top of a light pole, it bursts into flames.

"As the night turned into morning, a utility worker narrowly escaped death when handling a wire that was believed to be de-energized," the police department post said. "The wire then caught fire as it struck the wet ground. Luckily, he was wearing proper safety equipment!"

The video, from police department dashcams, also captured a transformer exploding, apparently after a lightning strike.

"Last night was quite SHOCKING for some of our midnight officers!" the department said in the post containing the video. "The rain, wind, lightning and thunder were at full force, causing transformers to explode and electrical wires to drop. In one instance, our officers responded to the intersection of State Highway 70 and Colonial Drive for a report of a traffic light being out due to the power outage. As our officers were setting up traffic cones and directing traffic, sparks were flying due to a arcing transformer."

"At the end of the night, no one was injured and everyone made it home," the post said.

The storm knocked out power to nearly 7,000 homes and businesses and forced the school district to cancel classes on Monday because it was not clear how long it would take to restore power..

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