Man critically injured after electrical contact at NYSEG's Ansco substation in Binghamton

What happened

A man was found on fire inside a fenced, energised enclosure at the Ansco substation, operated by NYSEG, in Binghamton's First Ward on a Monday afternoon in October 2025. Police said the man suffered serious burns consistent with electrocution and was left in critical but stable condition. Responding firefighters and medics had to approach cautiously to avoid being electrocuted themselves, and NYSEG workers cut power to the site so first responders could safely reach and treat the man.

Investigators have not confirmed how he entered the fenced, barbed-wire enclosure or his motive, and the case remains an open and active investigation. Local reporting noted police would not speculate on whether the man may have been attempting to remove copper from the site.

Contributing factors

Unauthorised entry into a live, fenced substation enclosure; possible attempted metal theft, though not confirmed by investigators; presence of energised equipment accessible to an intruder.

Lessons learned

1. Unauthorised entry into a live substation can cause severe burns, so operators should check perimeter fencing and barbed wire for gaps at legacy sites.
2. Responders cannot safely approach an energised casualty, so utilities must maintain rapid de-energisation protocols with control rooms.
3. Possible metal theft at substations requires intrusion alarms or monitoring, especially at older facilities.

More lessons on theft, arson and site security, design, standards and commissioning, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

• How the man entered the enclosure
• Motive for entry
• Cost of the incident

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Source

binghamtonhomepage.com