Hanging Christmas lights, surge of almost 20,000 volts hits man

Nov. 23--MERRIMACK -- Fire officials say a Merrimack man hanging a Christmas lighting display outside his home Tuesday came into contact with a power line carrying nearly 20,000 volts of electricity.

Merrimack Fire Marshal John Manuele said police and firefighters were dispatched to the intersection of Pine Street and Glen Forest Drive around 1:41 p.m. to investigate a report of an explosion with injury.

Merrimack Fire Ambulance 1 arrived at 1:45 p.m. to find a man lying on the ground outside a home at 1 Glen Forest Drive. Emergency personnel determined he was suffering from burns caused by an electric shock.

According to Manuele, fire investigators determined the man was installing Christmas lights on a large evergreen tree outside his home using a metal pole when the pole came in contact with a 19,900-volt primary power line.

Manuele said investigators believe a surge of electricity traveled down the pole and into the man's body, causing him to be thrown to the ground.

The man, whose name was not released by Merrimack fire or police personnel on Tuesday, suffered burns to his hands and additional burns to a leg.

He was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua, then transported to a hospital in Boston, Mass., for further treatment.

According to an online assessor's database accessible through the Merrimack town website, the property at 1 Glen Forest Drive is owned by Karen M. Leclair. The property is also listed as the address for Leclair Roofing & Weatherproofing Inc., which lists a Stephen Leclair as president.

Calls placed to a number posted online for the address were not returned Tuesday night.

Manuele said the surge of electricity damaged several holiday decorations in the front yard of the home.

Eversource personnel and Merrimack Building Official Fred Kelley were called to the scene to check the home and property for any additional hazards.

The area was deemed safe and all emergency crews cleared at 2:51 p.m.

The State Fire Marshal's Office offers the following tips for safely decorating homes with electric lights during the holidays.

--Use only outdoor lights outside your home, and use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters' Laboratories.

--Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.

--Shut off electrical power when replacing bulbs and keep it off while putting up outdoor lighting.

--Before putting up holiday lights, check each light set by setting it on a nonflammable surface and plugging it in for 10-15 minutes to see that the lights don't melt or smoke.

--Use a dry, wooden ladder when hanging holiday lights, to reduce the chance of an electrical shock.

Stay clear of overhead electrical wires.

pfeely@unionleader.com

Copyright 2016 - The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester