The Latest on a wildfire that killed 85 people in Paradise, California (all times local): 3:50 p.m. An attorney representing 2,000 victims…
The Latest on a wildfire that killed 85 people in Paradise, California (all times local):
3:50 p.m.
An attorney representing 2,000 victims of a Northern California wildfire that killed 85 people says the handling of findings by investigators about the cause of the blaze indicates that Pacific Gas & Electric may have broken the law.
Cal Fire reported Wednesday that equipment owned and operated by PG&E sparked the Nov. 8 blaze that nearly decimated the town of Paradise.
The report was not released to the public, so further details about its content were unavailable.
Victims‘ attorney Mike Danko said Cal Fire will normally release its reports publicly if it finds no laws were broken.
He said the agency referred its report to the Butte County district attorney’s office, suggesting Cal Fire likely has evidence that the utility was negligent on safety issues.
A call seeking comment from Butte County prosecutors was not immediately returned. A PG&E representative did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
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3:35 p.m.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s chief executive told California lawmakers that he expected the utility would be blamed, but he was still disappointed that the company he heads caused the state’s most destructive wildfire last year.
CEO Bill Johnson was testifying before the California Assembly’s Utilities and Energy Committee when state fire authorities made their announcement.
