WA:Power pole caused Toodyay fire: report

AAP General News (Australia)
08-13-2010
WA:Power pole caused Toodyay fire: report

Western Australia's EnergySafety watchdog has found a fallen power pole caused the
Toodyay bushfire .. north-east of Perth .. opening the way for compensation claims against
a state power company.

In a damning report targeting Western Power .. EnergySafety WA Director KEN BOWRON
says electricity caused the December fire .. which destroyed 38 properties.

Releasing the new report .. Mr BOWRON says fresh evidence led investigators to conclude
a 34-year-old wooden pole had fallen and caused arcing .. which lit dried barley stubble
around the pole.

Winds then quickly spread the fire.

He says further investigation will determine if Western Power breached regulations
.. and whether it should be prosecuted.

AAP RTV ldj/dl/ajw/

KEYWORD: TOODYAY (PERTH)

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