Man Causes Explosion in Melbourne After Trying to Steal Copper, Police Say

Police in Victoria were searching for a man suspected to have sparked an explosion in Melbourne on November 17, after allegedly trying to steal copper from a power board.

Recently released security footage shows the unidentified man leaving a substation on Fawkner Street in the Melbourne suburb of Southbank, after a huge smoke plume and flames erupted from the doorway.

According to Victoria Police the man in high visibility workwear forced his way into the building and used a spanner to try and steal copper worth $1000 ($667).

The man managed to walk out of the substation “empty-handed and not seriously injured,” Victoria Police said.

Police say he was last seen getting into an orange Holden Captiva on a nearby street before he drove away. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward. Credit: Victoria Police via Storyful

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