LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Southern California utility is investigating if its electric lines started a fire that drove tens of thousands of people from homes in Orange County.
Southern California Edison defended their decision Tuesday saying that winds weren't strong enough to cut power when the fire broke out near one of its powerlines near Irvine.
The utility pulled the plug on only 30 customers to prevent power lines from sparking a blaze. A spokesman says winds hadn't reached the level where safety shutoffs were implemented, although more were put in place later.
Two Orange County fires are still burning after forcing some 100,000 people from their homes. Meanwhile, Pacific Gas & Electric this week cut power to some 350,000 customers. Fires did erupt but were contained without serious damage.
