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PG&E fined $7M, might face legal penalties for 2022 Redwood Metropolis fireplace sparked by utility wires


WOODSIDE, Calif. (KGO) — PG&E is being fined $7 million and will doubtlessly face legal penalties. It stems from a hearth that broke out in Woodside in San Mateo County in June of 2022.

No constructions have been broken, however 4 firefighters have been injured.

The California Public Utilities Fee started its investigation the day after it broke out. Via its findings, PG&E is now being cited for 10 violations.

The CPUC says “the reason for the fireplace was probably contact or arcing” between two circuits.

PREVIOUS STORY: Edgewood Fireplace: San Mateo County residents say brush fireplace obtained ‘awfully shut’ to houses

For a lot of San Mateo Co. residents, Edgewood Fireplace was a detailed name that reminded them the significance of at all times being ready with an evacuation plan.

We spoke with Mark Toney, government director of The Utility Reform Community.

“We’re not speaking a few tree falling towards the wire, we’re not speaking about you recognize, excessive winds, we’re speaking about two strains that obtained so shut collectively that electrical energy jumped from one to the opposite and induced a hearth,” Toney mentioned.

The CPUC’s report explains that PG&E had proof of the wires not assembly minimal clearance necessities again in 2016.

But for practically six years, no clear motion was taken to handle the difficulty.

MORE: PG&E reported malfunction 11 minutes prior to start out of latest brush fireplace close to Tracy: CPUC report

In that point, the report says the realm was inspected 19 occasions however PG&E logged no further warnings.

“Inspections are good, it is good PG&E is doing inspections, however they should observe that up for taking the motion for security,” Toney mentioned.

Toney mentioned the $7 million fantastic will probably be paid by shareholders, not prospects.

We reached out to PG&E relating to the quotation and are ready to listen to again.

District Legal professional Stephen Wagstaffe informed ABC7 Information his workplace has thought-about each legal and civil penalties.

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