Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
CalFire: Homeowner Equipment Caused Deadly Blaze
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
January 24, 2019

Share

SACRAMENTO — In a long-awaited report, state investigators said Thursday that a 2017 wildfire that killed 22 people in Northern California wine country was caused by a private electrical system, not equipment of embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
The state’s firefighting agency concluded that the fire started next to a residence. The agency did not find any violations of state law.
“During my investigation, I eliminated all other causes for the Tubbs Fire, with the exception of an electrical caused fire originating from an unknown event affecting privately owned conductor or equipment,” wrote CalFire Battalion Chief John Martinez.
Some details about the property, including its owner and address, were blacked out in the report.

Blaze Destroyed 5,600 Structures

The fire was one of more than 170 that torched the state in October 2017. It destroyed more than 5,600 structures over more than 57 square miles in Sonoma and Napa counties.
The cause came as a relief to PG&E, which plans to file for bankruptcy protection next week, citing billions of dollars in potential damages and lawsuits it faces from other deadly wildfires for which it has been determined to be at fault.
One witness reported seeing a transformer explode. Another reported seeing the fire approach a PG& E power pole.
One witness, Charlie Brown Jr. of Calistoga, said the electrical wiring leading from the property where investigators concluded the fire started had not been used in years.

DON'T MISS

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

DON'T MISS

Canadian School Boards Sue Snapchat, TikTok and Meta for Disrupting Students’ Education

DON'T MISS

California Law Enforcement Agencies Obstruct Transparency Efforts in Use-of-Force Cases

DON'T MISS

No Police Charges for Taylor Swift’s Dad Over Paparazzi Incident in Sydney

DON'T MISS

Biden Administration to Lend $1.5B to Restart Michigan Nuclear Power Plant, a First in the US

DON'T MISS

Tonight’s Biden Fundraiser With Obama and Clinton Already Nets a Record $25 Million

DON'T MISS

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

DON'T MISS

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

DON'T MISS

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

DON'T MISS

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

No data was found

Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates

3 hours ago

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

4 hours ago

Canadian School Boards Sue Snapchat, TikTok and Meta for Disrupting Students’ Education

4 hours ago

California Law Enforcement Agencies Obstruct Transparency Efforts in Use-of-Force Cases

4 hours ago

Fresno County Tackles Animal Overpopulation with New Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program

5 hours ago

Fallen Crypto Mogul Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

5 hours ago

When Newsom Gives His State of the State, He Should Be Candid About California’s Economy

5 hours ago

No Police Charges for Taylor Swift’s Dad Over Paparazzi Incident in Sydney

5 hours ago

Biden Administration to Lend $1.5B to Restart Michigan Nuclear Power Plant, a First in the US

6 hours ago

Tonight’s Biden Fundraiser With Obama and Clinton Already Nets a Record $25 Million

6 hours ago

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

NEW YORK — A fundraiser for President Joe Biden on Thursday in New York City that also stars Barack Obama and Bill Clinton is raising a whop...

10 mins ago

10 mins ago

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

23 mins ago

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

1 hour ago

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

3 hours ago

Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates

4 hours ago

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

4 hours ago

Canadian School Boards Sue Snapchat, TikTok and Meta for Disrupting Students’ Education

4 hours ago

California Law Enforcement Agencies Obstruct Transparency Efforts in Use-of-Force Cases

5 hours ago

Fresno County Tackles Animal Overpopulation with New Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend