Class-Action Lawsuit Alleges Deadly California Wildfire Was Caused by Pacific Gas & Electric

[Photo: Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY NETWORK]

The utility company operating in the heart of the region devastated by the deadly Camp Fire in California was named Wednesday as the target of a class-action lawsuit, which alleged Pacific Gas & Electric bears responsibility for the "unprecedented disaster."

Attorneys representing several residents who lost everything in the tragedy said PG&E is to blame for the fire, which began Nov. 8 in Butte County. The lawsuit claims "unsafe electrical infrastructure" started the blaze.

"The fire was started by unsafe PG&E equipment . . . It becomes a tragedy that could have, and should have, been avoided had PG&E done their legal duty of safely operating and maintaining their power infrastructure," said the complaint, filed in San Francisco Superior Court.

Cal Fire, the agency investigating the blaze, has not made a determination about its cause.

Mike James and Jorge L. Ortiz, writing for USA Today, break this important news. File under “WHOA, if true.”