May I ask how quickly you ran in the opposite direction?

Could you explain pic 4? Is that a slice through the cable, or a crack in the block showing the exposed cable?

Picture #4 is the original 60-amp service cable that was stuccoed over.

I worked on a service like the one in pic #2. Cept' the glass on the meter was broken and resting on a meter temp. Exposed live parts, the works!

And the PoCo set those meters? I guess things are done differently around here - the PoCo guys would snicker as they drove away without getting within 10' of that thing.

What region is this in, if I may ask?

North East part of the country, Norristown, PA., right outside of Philly.