More than 100 people have died from wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
In the midst of this, circumstance and testimony are emerging showing that these wildfires were started by sparks caused by damaged power lines.
Meena Im is a correspondent in Los Angeles.
[Anchor]
The dark forest suddenly becomes bright like broad daylight안전놀이터.
This is a scene captured by surveillance cameras at the Maui Bird Conservation Center on the night of the 7th.
An official from the center explained that this scene appears to be the moment when a tree swayed by strong winds fell over a power line.
In the video that follows, the electricity goes out immediately after this moment and the camera is turned off, and then the camera is turned on again when the emergency generator is activated.
A forest fire has started in the distant forest.
At the same time, 10 sensors installed in the area recorded serious problems with the power grid of the local power company, Hawaii Electric Company.
The Washington Post reported that the footage appeared to capture one of several early wildfires on the island of Maui.
Residents’ testimonies are similar.
<Shane True/Lahaina resident> “I heard a pop across the street. Immediately I heard a crackling, electric sound from the ground. A power line curled up and landed on dry grass, sparking and starting a fire. “
In fact, a lawsuit against this power company has already been filed.
A couple living in the town of Lahaina on Maui, where the wildfires suffered the most, recently filed a lawsuit against power companies alleging gross negligence.
They argued that when strong winds from Hurricane Dora blew in, the power companies did not take precautions, such as shutting off power, saying that wires may have snapped and sparked, causing wildfires.
The number of wildfire victims in the town of Lahaina continues to rise.
Almost the entire village has been burned, but the search is still only about 25% complete.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned that the death toll could exceed 200.
This is Yonhap News Mina Im from Los Angeles.