Had the utility heeded weather service "warnings and de-energized their powerlines during the predicted high-wind gusts, this destruction could have been avoided," the lawsuit said.WATCH | Why so many people died in the Maui fires:Many Lahaina wildfire survivors say they had no official warning before the blaze was upon them. As the number of people killed continues to rise, Andrew Chang explains why there are growing questions about the emergency response.
The lawsuit said the utility had a duty "to properly maintain and repair the electric transmission lines, and other equipment including utility poles associated with their transmission of electricity, and to keep vegetation properly trimmed and maintained so as to prevent contact with overhead power lines and other electric equipment."
The utility knew that high winds "would topple power poles, knock down power lines, and ignite vegetation," the lawsuit said. "Defendants also knew that if their overhead electrical equipment ignited a fire, it would spread at a critically rapid rate.