The statement was AHEAD of the meter, this means UPSTREAM of the meter between the meter and the utility transformer?
How would a fault in the meter can result in fault current in the building (even with improper grounding)? A fault in the meter can can result in a impulse in the downstream electrical distribution system, and an impulse of significant magitude MIGHT cause a fire, or a sustained fault in the meter can (OCPs on the utility side do not open) may lead to a fire.
