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 didn香蕉视频直播檛 immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Had the utility heeded weather service 香蕉视频直播渨arnings and de-energized their powerlines during the predicted high-wind gusts, this destruction could have been avoided,香蕉视频直播� the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said the utility had a duty 香蕉视频直播渢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.香蕉视频直播�

The utility knew that high winds 香蕉视频直播渨ould topple power poles, knock down power lines, and ignite vegetation,香蕉视频直播� the lawsuit said. 香蕉视频直播淒efendants also knew that if their overhead electrical equipment ignited a fire, it would spread at a critically rapid rate.香蕉视频直播�

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 香蕉视频直播渟evere and catastrophic losses 香蕉视频直播� could have easily been prevented香蕉视频直播� if Hawaiian Electric had a similar shutoff plan.

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