On early Christmas morning in Capitola, California, an explosion rocked Capitola Village, leading to major allegations against utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). A Sacramento-based law firm, Kershaw Talley Barlow, is spearheading a class action lawsuit on behalf of affected residents and business owners, claiming neglect of utility infrastructure directly contributed to the incident.
The incident unfolded at approximately 5:10 a.m. behind El Toro Bravo Mexican restaurant on Monterey Avenue, according to first responders from the Central Fire District and Capitola Police. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations suggest the explosion was the immediate cause of the fire that ensued. Among the chaos, a local resident reportedly sustained serious injuries.
The lawsuit cites faulty PG&E underground utilities as the reason for the disaster. According to the plaintiffs, excessive heat from electrical wiring melted through a nearby gas line, allowing gas to leak for about two hours before igniting. This catastrophic failure resulted in extensive damage to the surrounding area.
Bill Kershaw, a founding partner at Kershaw Talley Barlow, expressed his dismay over the situation. “This was an entirely preventable disaster caused by infrastructure that should have been safely maintained and compliant with the law,” he said. Kershaw emphasized the community’s need for reassurance and rectification to prevent future occurrences and bring existing utilities up to code as mandated by the Public Utility Commission’s General Orders.
Further insights reveal that the law firm is not only moving forward with the class action suit but is also conducting detailed investigations into individual claims from residents and business proprietors adversely affected by the explosion. Additional lawsuits are expected to follow as the investigations progress.
As of now, PG&E has not provided comments regarding the allegations and the ongoing lawsuit.
The incident has drawn attention to broader issues of utility safety and infrastructure maintenance, prompting a reevaluation of compliance with safety norms and proactive disaster prevention practices. For the residents of Capitola Village, this Christmas morning event has marked a significant upheaval, instigating calls for accountability and ensuring such a disaster is never repeated in their community.