Five Lahaina residents have filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Industries, accusing the company of being responsible for the devastating Maui wildfire that claimed the lives of 99 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

The lawsuit, filed by law firm Singleton Schreiber, claims that the company's power lines started the fire and that the company should be liable for negligence, trespass, and nuisance. The lawsuit also alleges that Hawaiian Electric failed to de-energize their power lines or implement a public power shutoff plan to prevent the fire from spreading.

The company's aging infrastructure, consisting of wooden poles and exposed power lines, is said to be prone to sparking fires. Additionally, the lawsuit argues that Hawaiian Electric ignored warnings about the extreme fire risk posed by Hurricane Dora. Residents affected by the fire are seeking damages to help them rebuild and recover their losses.

More individuals affected by the fires are contacting the law firm to file their own lawsuits. While a settlement is expected, there are concerns about how much the company will be able to pay or if it will go bankrupt. Many Maui residents are expressing their frustration and anger over how the fire was handled and prevented.

Witnesses have recounted how power lines played a role in the initial phases of the wildfires. The focus has turned to Hawaiian Electric as investigators try to determine the cause of the fire.

Lawyers for Lahaina residents contend that the company's power equipment was not strong enough to withstand high winds and that the company should have shut down power before the strong winds arrived. Wildfire experts also see shortcomings in Hawaiian Electric's actions.

In the aftermath of the fire, it is estimated that over 2,000 structures were damaged or destroyed, with an estimated cost of $5.52 billion to rebuild. Hawaiian Electric's liability from the fire could exceed $4 billion. While pre-emptive power shutdowns can be disruptive to individuals and businesses, experts argue that they are a necessary measure to prevent wildfires.

The company has not commented on the pending litigation but stated that it is focused on supporting emergency response efforts and restoring lost electricity. Hawaii's attorney general, Anne Lopez, has announced a comprehensive review of decision-making and policies surrounding the wildfires.