Current:Home > MyMaui Electric responds to lawsuit, claims power lines were de-energized-InfoLens
Maui Electric responds to lawsuit, claims power lines were de-energized
View Date:2024-12-23 14:27:56
Maui Electric confirmed Monday that downed power lines were the cause behind a morning fire near Lahaina on Aug. 8, however the company maintains they had shut off the power before another fire began in the same area and later engulfed the island.
The utility responded to the lawsuit filed last week by Maui County against it and other electric companies that alleged it was negligent during the lead-up to the fires and ignored warnings of high winds and other potential fire warnings from weather officials.
Shelee Kimura, the president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric, said in a statement that the allegations in the lawsuit were "factually and legally irresponsible." She claimed the company's investigation showed it responded to both fires promptly.
MORE: Maui County files lawsuit against Maui Electric Company, Hawaiian Electric Company following wildfires
The utility released a timeline of what it claimed happened that day and has said that it has provided data to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is investigating the cause of the deadly wildfires.
Around 6:30 a.m. HT, on Aug. 8, Maui Electric said that high winds toppled a power line that caused a fire near Lahainaluna High School.
MORE: Dozens dead from Maui wildfires: What we know about the victims
Residents who lived near where the fire started filmed the blaze and told ABC News that firefighters arrived minutes later.
Maui Electric said the fire department fought the fire and said firefighters reported it was “100% contained" by 9 a.m. It was around this time that the utility claimed it had shut off power.
"There was no electricity flowing through the wires in the area or anywhere else on the West Maui coast," Maui Electric said in a statement.
Around 2 p.m., the fire department left the scene after it declared the blaze extinguished, according to the utility.
Maui Electric said it sent emergency crews to conduct repairs and claimed the power lines were still de-energized, and the power remained off.
At first, the utility's emergency crews didn't see any smoke or fire embers, however, around 3 p.m., the crews spotted another fire 75 yards away near another school, according to Maui Electric.
The utility says crews called 911, and firefighters arrived, however, they were unable to control the blaze and it spread toward Lahaina.
Maui Fire and Maui County didn't immediately return a request for comment to ABC News.
The wildfire is the deadliest in the U.S. in over 100 years, with at least 115 people killed, at least 388 unaccounted for and massive damage to buildings, trees and infrastructure.
The cause of the fire hasn't been determined and the ATF's investigation is ongoing.
The Maui County lawsuit contends that the island utilities failed to act and make preparations after the National Weather Service issued its Aug. 7 red flag warning: "warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger."
The lawsuit alleges that the downed, energized power lines "ignited dry fuel such as grass and brush, causing the fires."
Kimura said the company was "surprised and disappointed that the County of Maui rushed to court even before completing its investigation."
MORE: Hawaiian Electric shares plummet 40% after Maui wildfires lawsuit
"We continue to stand ready to work to that end with our communities and others. Unfortunately, the county’s lawsuit may leave us no choice in the legal system but to show its responsibility for what happened that day," she said.
Hawaii Electric is also the subject of a class-action lawsuit by affected residents who allege the utility "inexcusably kept their power lines energized" despite forecasts of high winds that could topple power lines and potentially ignite a fast-spreading blaze.
The utility has declined to comment on that lawsuit.
veryGood! (76675)
Related
- Jason Kelce Offers Up NSFW Explanation for Why Men Have Beards
- New Edition announces Las Vegas residency dates starting in late February after touring for 2 years
- 7 bystanders wounded in shooting at Texas college homecoming party, sheriff’s office says
- Abortion debate has dominated this election year. Here are Tuesday’s races to watch
- Disney Store's Black Friday Sale Just Started: Save an Extra 20% When You Shop Early
- Barbra Streisand talks with CBS News Sunday Morning about her life, loves, and memoir
- Bills' Damar Hamlin launches scholarship honoring medical team that saved his life
- Bills' Damar Hamlin launches scholarship honoring medical team that saved his life
- GM recalls 460k cars for rear wheel lock-up: Affected models include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac
- Polish president to appoint new prime minister after opposition coalition’s election win
Ranking
- Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard leagues
- California officer involved in controversial police shooting resigns over racist texts, chief says
- New Edition announces Las Vegas residency dates starting in late February after touring for 2 years
- Northeast China sees first major blizzard this season and forecasters warn of record snowfall
- Fighting conspiracy theories with comedy? That’s what the Onion hopes after its purchase of Infowars
- Police say a gunman fired 22 shots into a Cincinnati crowd, killing a boy and wounding 5 others
- COP28 conference looks set for conflict after tense negotiations on climate damage fund
- Moldova’s pro-Western government hails elections despite mayoral losses in capital and key cities
Recommendation
-
California farmers enjoy pistachio boom, with much of it headed to China
-
Abigail Zwerner, teacher shot by 6-year-old, can proceed with lawsuit against school board
-
Jennifer Garner Shows Rare PDA With Boyfriend John Miller on Lunch Date
-
French parliament starts debating a bill that would make it easier to deport some migrants
-
Minnesota county to pay $3.4M to end lawsuit over detainee’s death
-
Abortion debate has dominated this election year. Here are Tuesday’s races to watch
-
Who is the Vikings emergency QB? Depth chart murky after Cam Akers, Jaren Hall injuries
-
Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg leaves band after 10-year stint: 'We wish Jay all the best'