A Tellico man remained hospitalized at Vanderbilt Medical Center in critical condition Tuesday after he entered an electric substation in Vonore Monday, and was electrocuted by 13,000 volts, blowing a transformer, according to authorities.

The substation is jointly owned by Loudon Utility Board and Fort Loudoun Utility Board. Carl Michael Cross, 37, was apparently attempting to steal copper wire, Detective Earl Long of Vonore Police Department said. 

Long said Cross allegedly had cut some wires and managed to obtain some copper before the transformer blew.

"His girlfriend was sitting in the truck while he was getting copper," Long said. "She heard a big bang, and he was on the transformer smoking. He was on fire; when the police officer arrived, he had to take his fire extinguisher and put him out."

Jane Marie Theurer, 34, also of Tellico, was arrested.

Before the transformer blew, Cross managed to do "a considerable amount" of damage to the substation, Lynn Mills, LUB manager, said. The extent of that damage is still being assessed.

When she saw Cross on fire, Theurer reportedly attempted to drive the truck through the fence in an effort to reach him.

Mills said Cross had scaled a 10-foot chain-link fence topped with razor wire, ignoring numerous "danger" warnings and "keep out" signs to gain entry.

"We try to have due diligence to keep people out and keep hands off the substation," Mills said. "The payoff is not worth the danger."