In its statement, the utility addressed the cause for the first time. It said the fire on the morning of Aug. 8 “appears to have been caused by power lines that fell in high winds.” The Associated Press reported Saturday that bare electrical wire that could spark on contact and leaning poles on Maui were the possible cause.

But Hawaiian Electric appeared to blame Maui County for most of the devastation — the fact that the fire appeared to reignite that afternoon and tore through downtown Lahaina, killing at least 115 people and destroying 2,000 structures.

  • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    20
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    The power lines were not insulated and the company had been warned of the danger.

    This is on them.

    • GreenSkree@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      Are power lines ever really insulated though? I’m Midwest US and have only seen them insulated when running from the poles to houses. Have never seen them insulated anywhere else.

      • brianorca@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        Here in California, they started using insulated wire for all of them a few years ago after a big fire in 2018. They recently replaced a bunch of poles near me and I’m not even in a brush area. I guess it’s not as much priority in the Midwest, but Hawaii should have followed California’s lead.