The wife and father of the woman killed in the Smokehouse Creek fire have filed separate lawsuits.
FILE - Utility workers from Xcel Energy labor on power lines near a home destroyed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Stinnett, Texas. Owen's wife, Elaine Sanchez, is suing Xcel Energy, Southwestern Public Service Company and Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. for more than $1,000,000.
According to the lawsuit, a "wooden pole the Defendants failed to properly inspect, maintain, and replace, splintered, and snapped off at its base." "As a result of the utility’s conduct, the utility pole in question fell, and powered utility lines hit the ground, igniting a fire."Her work truck got trapped on FM 33 in Hemphill County by the fire, the smoke, or both.Mitchell said Owen was having trouble breathing, so she got out of her truck.Eventually, another motorist found her, collapsed on the roadway, and severely burned.Owen's father, Troy, is only suing Southwestern Public Service Company.
But he claims an SPS vehicle, driven by an SPS employee crashed into a power pole, knocking it to the ground, starting the fire. "Defendant SPS, who has a duty to maintain safe electrical equipment, knew or should have known of a splintered power pole that needed repair or replacement. The pole, which was in bad physical shape and poorly maintained, collapsed and ignited the fire," the lawsuit states.A celebration of life will be held for Owen at 2 p.m. on March 16 at Griggs-Schooler-Gordon Funeral Directors in Amarillo. The familyOwen is the second confirmed death from the wildfires.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas Panhandle wildfire grows to the second-largest in state historyThe Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County is now the second-largest wildfire in Texas history.
Read more »
Texas Panhandle wildfire turns deadly, now the largest in state historyThe Smokehouse Creek fire in the Texas Panhandle has now burned more than 1 million acres.
Read more »
Xcel Energy acknowledges role in Texas wildfireThe Smokehouse Creek Fire has grown to be the largest in state history.
Read more »
Largest wildfire in Texas history was ignited by power line, A&M Forest Service saysThe Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned over 1 million acres and is 44% contained.
Read more »
Broken power pole and downed wires caused Smokehouse Creek FirePhil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.
Read more »
Smokehouse Creek Fire in Texas explodes to become second-largest wildfire in U.S. history after burning 1.1 million acresThe state is battling its 'largest and most destructive fire in Texas history,' and the blaze is only 3% contained, officials said.
Read more »