Share this @internewscast.com

A “power pole that appeared to be decayed at the base where it made contact with ground had broken off at ground level,” the investigator wrote, and it and the cross member and wires fell and made contact with fine grassy fuels.

Utility company Xcel Energy said Thursday that “its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire,” but it disputed any claims that the company acted negligently in maintaining its infrastructure.

The Texas A&M Forest Service investigation report does not allege negligence.

A lawsuit filed by a homeowner last week against Xcel Energy Services, Southwestern Public Service Company and Osmose Utility Services claimed they “failed to properly inspect, maintain, and replace” the pole that fell.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned 1,058,482 acres and was 87% contained Friday, the Texas A&M Forest Service said.

A power line also caused another of the wildfires in the Panhandle, the Windy Deuce Fire, the forest service said.

That fire was reported at 6:23 p.m. on Feb. 26 at an oil field, and was caused when a power line that “ran directly thru the top of a small tree” made contact with tree limbs, a forest service report concludes.

That contact caused a spark or molten metal that fell into grass below, the report said.

A spokesman for Xcel Energy said that company does not believe its equipment was involved in causing that fire, and is not aware of any allegations that its equipment was involved.

There are power lines owned by others in the area where the Windy Deuce Fire began, Xcel spokesperson Kevin Coss said.

The Texas A&M Forest Service investigation reports do mention which company owns the lines in either fire

The Windy Deuce Fire was at 144,045 acres Friday and was 92% contained, the forest service said. Firefighters continued to mop up and patrol the fire area, it said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Danny Masterson’s ex-wife files to change their daughter’s last name

Danny Masterson’s Former Spouse Seeks Last Name Change for Their Daughter

Bijou Phillips, the ex-wife of Danny Masterson, is reportedly seeking a court’s…
ICE activity in Chicago today: Agents detain man near Superior and Paulina in West Town; Laugh Factory says manager detained

ICE Operations in Chicago: Agents Detain Individual Near Superior and Paulina in West Town; Laugh Factory Reports Manager’s Detention

In the heart of Chicago, the familiar scene outside the Immigration and…
Judge halts death penalty case in New Mexico due to federal shutdown

Federal Shutdown Forces Pause on New Mexico Death Penalty Case

In a significant development out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a judge…
Chicago shooting: Family pleads for justice after Princeton Miller shot, killed in West Loop during brother's birthday celebration

Family Seeks Justice After Princeton Miller Fatally Shot in Chicago’s West Loop During Birthday Celebration

A grieving family is desperately seeking answers over a month after their…
'Brazen' Louvre thieves made targeted heist, treasures could be melted down: expert

Inside the Heist: A Cinematic Jewel Theft Unfolds in Paris

Every now and then, journalists come across stories so extraordinary that even…
Security video captures moment former mayor stabbed multiple times outside his blue state business

Security Footage Reveals Former Mayor Stabbed Repeatedly Outside Business in Blue State

A dramatic incident unfolded outside a Massachusetts cannabis dispensary on Monday afternoon,…
Colts cheerleader uses sign language to converse with deaf fan at his first game

Heartwarming Moment: Colts Cheerleader Bridges the Gap with Sign Language at Deaf Fan’s First Game

Colts cheerleader Morgan McLain, who studied American Sign Language (ASL) as a…
Dramatic video shows NYPD officers rescuing a missing dog named Moose from beneath a Manhattan subway train

Watch: NYPD Heroes Save Missing Dog ‘Moose’ from Manhattan Subway Tracks

A dramatic rescue unfolded in Manhattan as officers from the New York…
Serbian foreign minister proposes hosting Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations amid ongoing conflict

Serbia Offers Neutral Ground for Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks: A Diplomatic Step Towards Resolution

EXCLUSIVE: Marko Djuric, the Foreign Minister of Serbia, revealed to Fox News…
Progressive Zohran Mamdani taking his case directly to Fox News’ conservative viewers

Progressive Powerhouse Zohran Mamdani Faces Fox News: A Bold Move to Connect with Conservative Viewers

Zohran Mamdani, a leading Democratic mayoral candidate known for his democratic socialist…
Michael Wolff Sues Melania Trump, Plans to Question Her

Michael Wolff Initiates Legal Action Against Melania Trump, Seeks to Question Her

Michael Wolff, the controversial author famous for his insider accounts of the…
A General Dilemma the War Department Must Remedy

War Department Faces Critical Challenge Needing Resolution

In the iconic film “White Christmas,” a song poses a poignant question…