Man found dead at senior housing complex was trying to steal copper wire: Police

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police are investigating after a body was discovered inside a vacant senior housing complex in Philadelphia that is scheduled for a massive renovation project.

Investigators say body of a man was found inside the Brith Sholom House on the 3900 block of Conshohocken Avenue in the city's Wynnefield Heights section around 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday.

Medics pronounced the man dead just after 6:30 a.m. Police say he was electrocuted while trying to steal copper wire from the site.

PECO was forced to conduct emergency maintenance, which impacted service for residents in the surrounding area for most of the day. Power was restored early Thursday morning,

On Tuesday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced that the Philadelphia Housing Authority complex is slated for a multi-million dollar rehabilitation project.

The senior living facility had been shut down years ago for safety reasons.