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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 31 OctOber 2018

Utility says its equipment

helped spark huge California fire

CHRISTOPHER WEBER at "every possibility" rang- Curtis' firm is one of several
LOS ANGELES (AP) — South- ing from weather to human representing thousands of
ern California Edison said or even animal factors, and fire and mudslide victims in
Tuesday its equipment like- the nearly year-long probe a consolidated suit that will
ly sparked one of two igni- probably won't be com- be heard in Los Angeles.
tion points for the massive pleted for at least another The announcement came
wildfire that tore through 30 days, Ventura County weeks after Gov. Jerry
California's central coast fire Capt. Stan Ziegler said. Brown signed legislation
last year. The Thomas Fire was the allowing utilities to bill cus-
Witnesses reported flames second-largest in Califor- tomers to pay for future le- In this Dec. 9, 2017 file photo, a fire engine passes flames as a
near the company's power nia history, scorching 440 gal settlements due to 2017 wildfire burns along Santa Ana Road near Ventura, Calif.
poles in Ventura County square miles (1,140 sq. ki- wildfires.q Associated Press
last December and the util- lometers) and destroying
ity "believes that its equip- more than 1,000 buildings
ment was associated with in Ventura and Santa Bar-
this ignition," Edison said. bara counties. Two people
Dozens of lawsuits allege died.
Edison equipment caused A month later, heavy rains
the deadly Thomas Fire, fell on hills left bare by the
but the statement marked fire, unleashing mudslides
the first time the company that killed 21 and left two
made such an acknowl- missing.
edgment. Edison's disclosure came
Edison hasn't determined as an update to investors
if its equipment started the but was released publicly
second ignition point near- to keep communities and
ly 6 miles (10 kilometers) customers informed, the
away. company said.
The admission was made Robert Curtis, an attorney
as red flag warnings for in- representing 450 victims of
creased fire danger went the fire and resulting mud-
up across the state amid slides, said he believed that
dry, gusty winds. Edison made the admission
Fire officials declined to because witnesses already
comment on Edison's state- have come forward to say
ment because no official they believe the utility's
cause of the blaze has equipment was involved.
been determined. A multi- "They did it because they're
agency investigation is faced with insurmountable
continuing. evidence that it's their re-
Investigators were looking sponsibility," he said.