MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. – Two lawsuits have been filed against Inland Power & Light Company, claiming they caused the Gray Fire in Medical Lake.
On Sept. 25, a group of attorneys filed a lawsuit saying Inland Power’s electrical equipment contacted or caused sparks to surrounding vegetation.
“Given where it started, the proximity to the power lines, the indicators that are available on the ground that (investigators) look at, and then the lack of any other potential causes, they believe it was caused by the power lines,” said Gerald Singleton, an attorney representing a landowner in Medical Lake.
The lawsuit claims Inland Power designed its power lines to be bare, uncovered and carry a high electricity voltage. It says this increases the risk of igniting when coming into contact with grass or other equipment.
A second lawsuit filed on Sept. 26 has more specific allegations against Inland Power. The suit, filed by Attorney John Allison on behalf of 44 victims of the Gray Fire, says an outdoor service light owned by Inland Power was seen sparking or burning shortly after the fire began. The light was seen about 25 yards away from the fire’s origin.
According to the lawsuit, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) took the light after hearing these reports.
NonStop Local KHQ has reached out to Inland Power and has yet to hear back.
DNR investigators have yet to determine the official cause of the Gray Fire.
