In Hawaiian Electric Company’s first statement since the deadly Maui wildfires earlier this month, the utility is taking responsibility for the first fire but says firefighters are responsible for the second that killed 115 people in the town of Lahaina.
The utility said Sunday night acknowledged its power lines started a wildfire on Maui but said county firefighters declared the blaze contained and left the scene, only to have a second wildfire break out nearby.
The utility released the statement in response to Maui County’s lawsuit blaming it for failing to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. Hawaiian Electric said its power lines in West Maui had been de-energized for more than six hours when the second blaze started.