BASTROP, Texas (AP) _ Three victims of a massive Texas wildfire that destroyed more than 1,500 homes this month are suing the electric utility whose fallen power lines sparked the blaze.
The lawsuit accuses Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative of negligence and failing to trim the trees away from power lines.
The blaze in Bastrop, near Austin, left two people dead and became the most destructive wildfire in recent Texas history. A Texas Forest Service investigation determined that wind gusts caused tree limbs and another dead tree to topple onto power lines and trigger the blaze over Labor Day weekend.
Bluebonnet CEO Mark Rose says the lawsuit is a misguided attempt to blame the utility for a terrible incident out of its control.
Attorney William Rossick filed the lawsuit Monday and says his clients deserve compensation.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)