CANADIAN, Texas — A Canadian woman has filed a lawsuit claiming that a power pole owned by Xcel Energy started the largest wildfire in Texas history. Melanie McQuiddy alleges that a splintered power pole fell and ignited the Springhouse Creek fire. According to Reuters, McQuiddy argues that Xcel had a duty to maintain safe electrical equipment but neglected to properly repair and inspect its power line poles. She is seeking compensation for the damages caused by the wildfire.
The lawsuit also names Osmose Utilities Services as a defendant. McQuiddy asserts that the company was hired to inspect Xcel’s power lines. She claims that the power pole in question was in bad physical shape before it fell.
Gerald Singleton, managing partner of a San Diego-based law firm experienced in handling similar cases, explained that while lightning strikes are a common cause of wildfires, they can be ruled out in the Panhandle fires. Singleton suggests that proximity to power lines should be investigated as the next possible cause.
McQuiddy’s attorney, Mikal Watts, stated that Xcel will be held responsible for the damages caused by the wildfire. The company released a statement affirming its cooperation with officials and commitment to conducting its own investigations into the cause of the fires.
Instances of downed power lines causing wildfires have been reported before. For example, the Dixie Fire and Kincade Fire in California were sparked by Pacific Gas And Electric power lines. The Hawaiian Electric Co. also acknowledged that downed power lines were responsible for a fire in the town of Lahaina in Maui.
McQuiddy’s lawsuit demands the preservation of a fallen SPS utility pole near the fire’s potential area of origin. While ABC 7 News was unable to retrieve a copy of the lawsuit immediately, it has conducted interviews with McQuiddy and her daughter.
The legal proceedings will shed light on the responsibility of energy companies in preventing wildfires and maintaining safe electrical equipment. As investigations continue, the impact of this lawsuit on future safety measures and compensation for wildfire victims remains to be seen.