Maui County sues power company, saying utility did not turn off electricity during deadly wildfires

  • 📰 chicagotribune
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 43 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 21%
  • Publisher: 91%

Australia News News

Australia Australia Latest News,Australia Australia Headlines

Maui County has sued Hawaiian Electric Company over the fires that devastated Lahaina, saying the utility negligently failed to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions.

A general view shows the aftermath of a devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023.

The lawsuit said the destruction could have been avoided and that 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.

Dozens of searchers in snorkel gear this week have been combing a 4-mile stretch of water for signs of anyone who might have perished. Crews are also painstakingly searching for remains among the ashes of destroyed businesses and multistory residential buildings. The FBI and Maui County police are still trying to figure out how many others might be unaccounted for. The FBI said Tuesday there were 1,000 to 1,100 names on a tentative, unconfirmed list.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 8. in AU
 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Australia Australia Latest News, Australia Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Maui County files lawsuit against Maui Electric Company, Hawaiian Electric Company following wildfiresMaui County has filed a lawsuit against the Maui Electric Company and Hawaiian Electric Company following the wildfires across the island.
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »

Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric Company for damages from disastrous firesThe civil suit filed Thursday seeks a jury trial and 'punitive and exemplary damages' to recoup costs and loss of revenue from the deadly wildfires.
Source: NPR - 🏆 96. / 63 Read more »