Structure fire: Sometimes, you just gotta brag on the guys

[Miller337]

They pulled the meter base, then went to each outlet and switch, cutting the wire free, and then went to pullin' wire. And you're right, if they put that effort into an honest trade...

Good job to your team. We had a fool try and steal the copper grounding straps off of a substation transformer. Incredibly he wasn't crisped on the spot, the entire complex including the fence went hot. Very impressive.

[islandfire03]

Hopefully, if the structure of the building isn't too compromised, you can through a walk through with some of the younger less experienced guys. Show them what you were seeing, and things to look out for. We always walk through after a job if it's safe.

Islandfire, is that the cribstone bridge in your avatar?

Yes it is. the only one of it's kind . That's how I get home. :-}

[The52nd]

Yes it is. the only one of it's kind . That's how I get home. :-}

Nice. I envy you. You live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

[Dickey]

Ah yes...it was a friction fire. Friction from the mortgage and insurance policy rubbing together.

Sounds like good work by everyone, good job!

As a side note, pulling a meter in my area doesn't necessarily mean the power is disconnected. This is becoming more and more common with newer construction.

About 3 years ago now we had a guy report a foul smell from the house next door which was vacant and for sale. We get close to the front door and it hit us, instantly you knew what that smell is....DEAD GUY! Turns out someone pulled the meter on the outside, broke a bedroom window to get in, tossed in his tools and went to the basement to cut wires and do the same thing. When he cut he got zapped and was fried. He laid there for about a week. It was interesting because his zipper on his jacket was melted together and his necklace burned into his skin.

That's what happens when you try to steal what isn't yours.

[slackjawedyokel]

Pictures ???

[EastKyFF]

As a side note, pulling a meter in my area doesn't necessarily mean the power is disconnected. This is becoming more and more common with newer construction.

Right. I wouldn't bet my life on it, but they think it works, so they do it.

The obvious question: Once you've broken in, why not just throw the main breaker and tear out wire from the box in? You'd miss a few pounds from the box back to the meter, but it ain't worth dyin' for.

[YFDLt08]

What does this strip the copper wire look like? Do the scumbags actually pull all the drywall and cut out the romex and copper pipe?

If bums got up in the morning and put 1/2 the effort put into a legitimate JOB....

Enter vacant/occupied while resident out, pull wall outlet out, grab wire and pull hard through drywall, snip as high up as you can reach. Wash, rinse, repeat. Move to basement...cut all exposed wiring and pull from joists. Wash, rinse, repeat. Stay in basement... take copper pipe cutter or hacksaw and cut all available copper piping. Move to kitchen/bathroom sinks and remove exposed pipes from under vanities/cabinets. Take hammer to bathtub/shower walls. Remove now exposed pipe.
Don't forget to carry out hot water tank on way out the door! The cycle continues daily in my city.

Take copper to scrap yard and sell. Take wiring to backyard/woodburning stove/wooded area and burn in big pile. Wait for FD to get called to come extinguish it (temperature reduction from fire behavior class) so that you can take it promptly to scrap yard without burning your hands.

Got a run for a structure fire a few years back and driving through center of town all streetlights etc are out of power. Find out next morning that a scrapper cut his way into the downtown power substation fence with bolt cutters to steal any copper. He was the reason for the power outage...shortest path to ground was through bolt cutters in his hand!! Dead with cutters permanently burned into him.

We also routinely go on "odor of gas" at vacants to find the hot water tank has been ripped out or gas meter missing piping. Basement fills with gas and waits for ignition source...thankfully none of the guys on my crew smoke We've had more than one house explosion recently due to such.

Oh, and I consider myself lucky...when the copper at my house got stolen they just took the exposed copper plumbing and didn't rip open the walls. Must have been lazy underachievers on that crew!!!

Don't think I'm just complaining, there are certain benefits. When I replumbed my house I put in CPVC--man those glue fumes are great

[islandfire03]

Nice. I envy you. You live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

It is a pretty nice place to live and still has the small community feel to it. Most folks know their neighbors and watch out for each other.

Since you recognized it , you must have visited here?

[The52nd]

Since you recognized it , you must have visited here?

Visit regularly. Was there last month, and plan to be there again this summer. Can't wait to wash down a bowl of fish chowder and a blue berry muffin with an Allegash white.

[Rescue101]

He LIES a little. He CAN use a BOAT,hehe T.C.