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LA utility sued for alleged supply failures during Palisades Fire


A lawsuit filed by more than a dozen victims of the Pacific Palisades wildfire accuses the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power of water supply failures that contributed to the devastation caused by the inferno. The plaintiffs, including residents and a pizzeria owner, claim that hydrants dried up within hours of the fire’s ignition, leading to the loss of their homes and businesses. The lawsuit alleges that a nearby reservoir, which should have been maintained by the utility, was dry at the time of the blaze due to delayed repair work to cut costs.

The Palisades Fire, the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles history, destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, landmarks, and vehicles, prompting evacuations for tens of thousands of residents. Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an investigation into the water supply failures of LADWP, acknowledging issues with local hydrant systems not designed to handle such large fires.

LADWP defended its system capabilities, attributing the lack of water pressure during the fire to unprecedented demand without aerial support. The utility stated that some hydrants in high elevations were impacted but that potable water tankers were deployed to support firefighting efforts. Newsom emphasized the need for answers to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure adequate resources for fighting catastrophic fires.

The lawsuit is one of several legal actions related to the California wildfires, which have resulted in the deaths of at least two dozen people and caused extensive damage across Los Angeles, making it potentially the costliest natural disaster in American history.

Photo credit
www.usatoday.com

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