A contractor in Layton suffered critical burns to his face when electrical flashes burst from a nearby manhole and encompassed his upper body, fire officials said.

The man was working with a crew about 10 a.m., installing cable TV lines underground near 3500 W. Gordon Ave. (1000 North), said Layton fire Capt. Jason N. Cook. He was operating hand tools near a manhole cover when two large flashes exited the manhole. The worker was flown to University Hospital's burn unit in critical condition. He is expected to survive.

A subsequent power outage affected about 1900 customers near the flash site, said Rocky Mountain Power spokesman David Eskelson. Power was restored as of 11:20 a.m.

Power officials are investigating the cause of the flash. No lines appeared to have been broken, Cook said.

Erin Alberty