SAN FRANCISCO - The Pacific Gas & Electric Company faces a lawsuit from a whole family that lost its ranch in the October 2019 Kincade fire, which ravaged more than 77,000 acres and 174 homes.
According to documents filed on March 12 in the San Francisco County Court, plaintiffs Paul Pickle, Shannin Pickle, Ashton Pickle, Corrine Pickle and Loveness Pickle are the owners and operators of Unbounded Ranch in Sonoma County.
The plaintiffs sued PG&E for its negligence in preventing the blaze, which was confirmed to have been caused by neglected PG&E power lines in dry and windy conditions, and the company's failure to de-energize the lines when high wildfire risk factors were present, the suit says.
PG&E is further sued for inverse condemnation, public nuisance, private nuisance, premises liability, trespass, violation of public utilities code, violation of health and safety code and violation of California business and professional code.
The family seeks damages deemed appropriate by the court for their loss of property and income. They are represented by Cotchett, Pitre and McCarthy LLP.