The responsibility of California power supplier Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in the California fire has been exposed again. On Friday, September 24, the county prosecutor announced that although its device caused the “Zog Fire” that killed 4 people in 2020, the supplier will be criminally prosecuted for homicide.
“We have sufficient evidence to prove that PG&E was criminally responsible for the fire. “Zog Fire“ And the death and destruction it caused”Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridget said at a news conference.
She intends to sue PG&E on a total of 31 counts, including homicides related to the deaths of four people in the fire, including an eight-year-old child.
PG&E refuses to accept criminal responsibility
The “Zog Fire” broke out in a forest area in northern California on September 27, 2020. An investigation by firefighters determined that the accident was caused by a branch contacting a power line operated by PG&E.
According to Shasta’s prosecutor, the company has neglected to pruning in this place for years, which is an act “Negligence and Crime” According to her.
In a statement in response to the allegations, the company acknowledged the firefighters’ investigation results and acknowledged responsibility for causing the fire, but denied any criminal responsibility in this case. “We did not commit a crime”, Protest against Patti Poppe, General Manager of PG & E.
The company has processed a large number of compensation claims for the victims of the “Zog Fire”. “Still working to find a solution to the remaining requests”, She added.
Over the years, the San Francisco-based company has been accused of putting profits and shareholders above public safety, its facilities are outdated, and it has repeatedly failed to maintain its overhead power lines. PG&E’s production line triggered the deadliest “campfire” in California’s recent history in 2018: 86 people died and 18,000 buildings were destroyed around Paradise Town. This tragedy caused the group to go bankrupt and was forced to pay tens of millions of dollars in losses. He also pleaded guilty to 84 cases of manslaughter.