An electrical fire expert with 40 years of investigative experience says newly discovered photos appear to show potential PG&E fire responsibility in the case of the Tubbs Fire in 2017.

According to NBC, the Tubbs Fire previously has been blamed on a private home’s electrical malfunction in Calistoga, a position held by the state’s Cal Fire investigators. At the same time, Cal Fire did not rule out PG&E equipment in its final report. The Tubbs Fire began Oct. 8, 2017 and resulted in the deaths of 22 people and the loss of more than 5,600 homes and buildings throughout Sonoma and Napa counties, home to some of the country’s top wineries.

NBC Bay Area’s investigative staff got a hold of the photos that allegedly depict evidence of two PG&E power lines arcing at least 100 yards from the Calistoga home that has been blamed for the ignition. The photos were analyzed by Ken Buske, who says he has investigated the origins of more than 1,000 fires in his lifetime.

Buske explained the photos indicate markings where two copper lines had been hanging next to one another, each one a 12,000-volt line.

In his interview with NBC Bay Area, Buske explained arcing by saying, “There’s a bright flash, an electric flow – like lightning between the portion of the wire, the top wire and some vegetation, and there’s a similar event with the other wire.”

Buske also said Cal Fire is wrong in its determination that the Calistoga home started the Tubbs Fire because the timing of the arcing caught on a surveillance video previously shared on television happens at the same moment power would have been cut to the Calistoga home as a result of that arcing.

The wires apparently have scarring on them from the arcing action. PG&E reportedly has removed the wires and is keeping them locked away.

PG&E Fire Responsibility Already Pondered in Tubbs Case

According to Law360, just last month, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Teri Jackson set a trial date of Jan. 7, 2020 for elderly victims of the Tubbs Fire, saying the courts need to “get this done expeditiously and efficiently and get to the core issue of causation.”

For the most part, lawsuits against PG&E regarding wildfires had been placed on hold after the utility filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali ruled the Tubbs Fire lawsuit could proceed.

The 18 elderly and/or ill plaintiffs represent only a fraction of the victims of the Tubbs Fire, but Judge Montali said that by allowing the case to move forward would help determine the extent of PG&E fire responsibility.

PG&E allegedly has not accepted any liability for the Tubbs Fire.

A Reuters article published Oct. 4, 2019 reported PG&E claimed debts of $34.35 billion in its Chapter 11 court documents. PG&E must emerge from bankruptcy by June 30, 2020 in order to be a participant in the state’s new $21 billion fund that helps cover wildfire liabilities in the future.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.