Hawaii's century-old wildfire may have been caused by faulty electrical equipment

According to Sputnik, US media cited conclusions from legal teams from the companies Watts Guerra, Singleton Schreiber and Frantz Law Group, claiming that Hawaiian Electric's damaged infrastructure acted as a spark for the fires on the island.

Fires have ravaged the tourist town of Lahaina, reducing it to ashes in just days and causing widespread devastation last week.

“All the evidence, from video , witness accounts, the fire history and remaining utility equipment – points to Hawaiian Electric equipment as the source of the devastating Lahaina fire,” Mikal Watts, a representative for Watts Guerra, told a US news agency.

Earlier, Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned that investigations into the cause of the fire could take weeks or even months. This is considered the worst natural disaster ever for the state of Hawaii, with more than 2,200 structures destroyed or severely damaged in West Maui, leading to total estimated damage of nearly $6 billion.

Hawaiian Electric previously reported that strong winds downed power lines in the affected area.

The area most affected by the recent natural disaster was Lahaina, where much of the infrastructure was destroyed by the fire and some residents had no choice but to jump into the sea to safety.

Government agencies including the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Pacific Disaster Center have reported that up to 4,500 individuals have lost their homes due to the fires and are now in need of emergency shelter.

With the death toll continuing to rise, the Maui wildfire has surpassed the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, which killed 85 people and wiped out the town of Paradise. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier predicted the current death toll could rise as search and rescue efforts continue.

As survivors returned, officials warned Lahaina and Kula residents not to drink tap water and advised them to only bathe in well-ventilated areas to minimize chemical exposure.

Source link