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Molten metal from clashing transmission lines started a fire during strong, hot winds and high temperatures. Alastair Hope said if Western Power had followed the Office of Energy Safety’s request to attend to overdue maintenance items after a similar fire in Mt Barker three years ago, the Tenterden fire would not have occurred.
He said the lack of action by Western Power was ‘disgracefully inadequate.’
Hope made 18 recommendations at the conclusion of the month long inquiry, nine targeted towards Western Power.
The critical finding came on top of a busy week for Western Power’s management, with tens of thousands of Perth business and residential customers losing power after around 70 pole top fires occurred. Some were out for more than 24 hours.
New energy minister Alan Carpenter has subsequently accelerated the program to coat pole tops with silicon and to lay more underground power cables in those suburbs most affected.
The Coroner’s finding has increased the likelihood of prosecution of Western Power for the bushfire which caused massive amounts of damage to crop and stock losses in addition to the loss of human life.
Energy Safety director Albert Koenig said the result strengthened any prosecution case and also backed his call for widespread reform within the utility.
Western Power’s managing director Tony Iannello expressed his apologies to the people impacted by the Tenterden fire.
“Western Power deeply regrets the Tenterden fire and we are very sorry that the fire lead [sic] to this tragedy,” Iannello said.
"We take matters of public safety very seriously and we are doing everything we can to ensure that a tragedy like this is not repeated.”
He said Western Power would consider all the recommendations and report to the Coroner’s Office on steps taken in response to any recommendations.
Iannello said Western Power would continue to work with all investigative bodies including the Coroner's Office and the Directorate of Energy Safety to ensure the safe operation of the electricity network and associated infrastructure across the State.
