Worker burned in electrical accident in SW Philadelphia

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A worker was seriously injured after he was burned in an electrical accident on Tuesday morning in Southwest Philadelphia.

The incident happened shortly before 11 a.m. at 51st and Woodland.

Philadelphia Police say the worker is a 53-year-old Streets Dept. employee who was in a raised bucket fixing a street light.

Investigators say a charged cable sparked, igniting the utility pole and the worker's clothing.

He was able to put the flames out himself while other workers lowered the bucket.

"He was really burned," said Latetia Mitchell of Southwest Philadelphia. "His arm was burned, both arms, and his whole face. He was rubbing his face and we had to tell him to stop rubbing his face because the skin was coming off."

The victim was taken to Penn Presbyterian Trauma, but was then transferred to the Temple Burn Unit.

There were no other injuries.

PECO said it had to de-energize the area, putting some traffic lights out and leaving some 1,900 customers in the dark.

Power was restored by 12:15 p.m.