HPD: Copper thief catches fire

A man caught fire as he tried to steal copper, according to the Houston Police Department.

Investigators said the man was trying to steal copper from a transformer volt at 3303 Travis Street Monday at 8:10 p.m. when a fire started.

CenterPoint Energy said 7,200 volts were cut from the building and crews found evidence at the scene, including burned clothing, a burned ladder, a burned saw and a pair of glasses.

The man suffered third-degree burns on 50 percent of his body. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition.

His name was not released.