Folks, the Detroit area has an entire niche 'industry' of 'experts' who tap Detroit Edison's service drops to provide un-billed utility power.
Some of the players have been up-loaded to YouTube.
I would not be shocked to find out that 'hot' splices had been tapped into these service laterals.
THIS, then, being the true source of the smoked conductors.
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I'd suspect some hot tray (line side) taps directly ahead of the panels that were protected at the panels... (six switch rule) were augmented by local talent.
The melt down could well have occurred right then and there when the 'expert' was doing his hot-work best to tap in ahead of the five meters.
The result was fire damage so extensive that it's hard to spot the attempt to jump the system.
[Imagine someone grounds a hot conductor (208Y120) thinking that they've correctly identified the neutral. Before the deed is done -- our hero is off in a flash. Ground impedence gives one the illusion that the conductors merely overloaded.]
{ Lay on some extra security for your vehicles! }
