Suspected thief fights for his life

A suspected metal thief is fighting for his life after suffering 60 per cent burns as he attempted to strip copper wiring from an electricity sub-station in the Black Country.

The 21-year-old was burned from ankle to scalp in the attempted theft at the Granada industrial estate in Churchbridge, Oldbury at 3.15am today.

Police were called to reports of an explosion and loss of power supply in the area.

Detective Sergeant Carl Russell said the injured man, said to be East European, was dropped off by a private car at the City Hospital in Birmingham where he is being treated.