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

Witness accounts and video indicated that sparks from power lines ignited fires as utility poles snapped in the winds, which were driven by a The Aug. 8 fire killed at least 115 people and left an unknown number of others missing.

A spokesperson for Hawaiian Electric didn91裸聊视频檛 immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Had the utility heeded weather service 91裸聊视频渨arnings and de-energized their powerlines during the predicted high-wind gusts, this destruction could have been avoided,91裸聊视频� the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said the utility had a duty 91裸聊视频渢o 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.91裸聊视频�

The utility knew that high winds 91裸聊视频渨ould topple power poles, knock down power lines, and ignite vegetation,91裸聊视频� the lawsuit said. 91裸聊视频淒efendants also knew that if their overhead electrical equipment ignited a fire, it would spread at a critically rapid rate.91裸聊视频�

The lawsuit notes other utilities, such as Southern California Edison Company, Pacific Gas & Electric, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have all implemented Public Safety Power Shutoffs during during high wind events and said the 91裸聊视频渟evere and catastrophic losses 91裸聊视频� could have easily been prevented91裸聊视频� if Hawaiian Electric had a similar shutoff plan.

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