MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A Manatee County employee suffered burns and had to be taken to the hospital while working on an electric panel at the Manatee County Central Jail on Wednesday, the sheriff's office said.
The electric panel needed maintenance and while the county employee was trying to fix it, officials said the panel exploded. No inmates or other staff were hurt.
The jail was quickly put on lockdown as law enforcement and fire rescue responded, according to a news release. Firefighters inspected the area to make sure the explosion didn't start a fire and examined the electric panel to make sure it was no longer a safety threat.
According to the sheriff, the employee was awake and alert when they were transported to the hospital.
Florida Power and Light also responded to the jail. Officials said the utility company is helping identify and fix the "electrical issue."
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office said it will provide an update once visitation is able to resume.
