this is the property on bennett lane in calistoga, is where cal fire investigators say the fire started. private property, private electrical system... not p-g & e's fault. from here the fire spread in napa, lake and sonoma counties. the tubbs fire doing the majority of it's damage in the santa rosa region of sonoma county. that's where the coffey park and fountain grove neighborhoods were destroyed. 22 people lost their lives and nearly five thousand homes were left in the rubble. ( robin ) last week the pg&e announced plans to file for bankruptcy at the end of the month... citing the 30 billion dollars it faces in liability.. t

that red pin on the map shows the point of origin on bennett lane in calistoga. we have more information. >> privately owned electrical equipment next to this property on bennett lane in calistoga triggered the deadly blaze. that's conclusion of an investigation by cal fire, which has the support of some. >> if that's their judgment on it, i trust that judgment. they investigated it. i know they have the tools to do that. >> cal fire's 80-page report is based on witness statement, expert opinion and physical evidence. the report states that the fire patterns at the site prove that the fire moved towards the pg&e pg&e pole in question and there's no evidence that pg&e were charred -- the results anti-a surprise they say. >> pg&e was doing the study, that would be a different story for obvious reasons. i have no reason to doubt cal fire at this point. >> cal fire also interviewed a caretaker of the bennett lane property who says the private pole was woodpeckered so bad that it wasinced. stacy willow wants more evidence and doesn't want the city to rely on an invest

cal fire investigators say the fire started on a private property on bennett lane in calistoga.y say the fire sparked from an independent electrical system not operated by pg&e. from there the fire spread in napa, lake and sonoma counties. it is know for destroying the coffey park and fountain grove neighborhoods. despite hearing the results of the cal fire report ... people who lost their homes are still holding pge accountable. < i cant worry about pge is or isnt but maybe it will change the system. i feel pge has not been taking care of business there is a history of not taking care of their lines and transformers properly.>( james ) ( james ) pg&e has pg&e has announced plans to file for bankruptcy at the end of the month ... citing the 30 billion dollars it faces in liability. the tubbs fire accounted for 17 billion of that. governor gavin newsom says its still up to pg&e to decide whether the utility will file for bankruptcy. (2-shot)( james ) even with the answer... that the tubbs fire was started by private electric lines ..there are still a lot of questions from survivo

authorities would only say it was on bennett lane three miles north of calistoga. this is video gathered not long after the origin with determine. investigators searched the area. they found the property owner did not violate any state laws. in the end the fire burned more than 5700 square miles. >>> we are covering all of these new developments. rob is there where the fire began. we began with alex who has been looking into how this affects pg&e and the response from the governor. >>> they are not in the clear yet. they are still facing lawsuits with the deteriorating financial situation. they said they are focused on safety and helping fire victims recover and rebuild. here is a statement from pg&e. they said resolving the legal liabilities and financial challenges

authorities would only say it was on bennett lane three miles north of calistoga. this is video gathered not long after the origin with determine. investigators searched the area. they found the property owner did not violate any state laws. in the end the fire burned more than 5700 square miles. >>> we are covering all of these new developments. rob is there where the fire began. we began with alex who has been looking into how this affects pg&e and the response from the governor. >>> they are not in the clear yet. they are still facing lawsuits with the deteriorating financial situation. they said they are focused on safety and helping fire victims recover and rebuild. here is a statement from pg&e. they said resolving the legal liabilities and financial challenges stemming from the wildfires will enormously complex -- will be enormous and complex and we will take more time to get this resolved. >>> we don't have an option to be 90% right, we have to be 100% right. this was purely scientific and methodical. it took many hours to look into this. it was a very larg

the devastating tubbs fire started here, on bennett lane in calistoga where cal fire investigators... and they say pg and e is not to blame. the tubbs fire claimed the lives of 22 people in october of 20-17. now 15 months later we know what sparked itthis is the property private property, private electrical system... not p-g & e's fault. from here it spread in napa, lake and sonoma counties. the tubbs fire doing the majority of it's damage in the santa rosa region of sonoma county. that's where the coffey park and fountain grove neighborhoods were decimated. nearly five thousand homes were destroyed... at the time it was the most destructive fire in state history. pg-and-e did release a statement in response to this news today. saying quote-- "without question, the loss of life, homes and businesses during these devastating wildfires is heartbreaking, and we remain focused on helping affected communities recover and rebuild. the safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our most important responsibility, and we are committed to assessing our infrastructure to further enh

(grant) this is the property on bennett lane in calistoga, is where cal fire investigators say the fire started. private property, private electrical system... not p-g & e's fault. from here the fire spread in napa, lake and sonoma counties. the tubbs fire doing the majority of it's damage in the santa rosa region of sonoma county. that's where the coffey park and founta neighborhoods were decimated. 22 people lost their lives. nearly five thousand homes were destroyed... at the time it was the most destructive fire in state history. pg-and-e did release a statement in response to this news today. saying quote-- "without question, the loss of life, homes and businesses during these devastating wildfires is heartbreaking, and we remain focused on helping affected communities recover and rebuild. the safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our most important responsibility, and we are committed to assessing our infrastructure to further enhance safety and help protect all of the customers we serve... from the ever-increasing threat of wildfires." today governor newsom had

. >> authorities say the property where the fire started was on bennett lane. this is video of the area taken by a photographer in the days after the fire. there was still police tape on the mailbox. people who lost their homes, reacted to the news today that pg&e is not to blame. >> the initial reaction is really. we finally have an answer. it has been 15 months. we have been waiting. other fires have gotten answers. so this is really. then there is sorrow. >> we have team covers tonight. rob is in the area talking to victims about today's announcement. >> first we begin with details from the report and what it means for pg&e and all of the victims . >>> today's report comes 15 months after the fire. officials say it was a complex investigation and it was absolutely critical that the long-awaited report was complete and accurate. >> we don't have an absent page. we have to be 99% right. we have investigated intensely. >>> they determined the fire started next to a resident on this street. this woman was out of town the night of the fire. in a report that they

people also told me they feel bad for the reported 90 year old woman who lived in the home on bennett lane when the fire started. they do not want her to feel guilt for the death and destruction.(justine) so what does this mean for lawsuits...because hundreds of homeowers either did not have insurance or were under insured... santa rosa attorney roy miller who represents 1,200 people who are suing pg&e for lost homes and other damages, .. tells me said the cal fire report "changes zero." in santa rosa justine waldman kron 4 news. (vicki) kron 4 first told you about the cause of the fire through a push alert. make sure you download the kron 4 mobile app to always get breaking news updates in your (ken) there is an active search tonight for a missing boy in san jose. police say 10 year old elias ramirez fled from east julian street near 24-th street around 11 this morning. he was possibly last seen about a mile away on shortridge avenue. he was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants. he goes by the nickname...turtle. if you have any information on this child's whereabouts you're a

our investigative unit found the fire may have started from faulty electrical equipment on north bennett lane. pg&e filed a response to the lawsuit saying the equipment was not its responsibility. in the statement it says, in 35r9 part, the evidence supports the conclusion this equipment located beyond pg&e's service delivery point was planned, designed, installed and maintained and operated by third parties, not pg&e. >>> we're learning more about a deadly apartment fire in oakland. it happened last night on chadic avenue near the berkeley border. firefighters say a 38-year-old man was kilide the building. likely he died from smoke inhalation. initial reports say a christmas tree may be to blame. >>> and this man, tamari harris is scheduled to go to trial in connection with a deadly shooting in richmond. "the east bay times" reports one critical piece of evidence has vanished without a trace. the victim identified harris as he lay dying in march of 2016 but the body camera used by the officer who heard that accusation somehow malfunctioned. police say there's no usable footage. >>> 4:51. a l

a home on a ten-acre plot on bennett lane in calistoga, owned by an elderly woman who was out of town at the time. the fire did not start with the pg&e equipment, that the tubbs fire was caused by a private electrical system adjacent to a residential structure. >> what they can determine is it was some type of infrastructure or electrical failure within a private property. what exactly was unable to be determined because of the intensity of the fire. >> cal fire did not identify any violations of state law in how the fire started. pg&e issued a statement that regardless of today's announcement, pg&e still faces significant litigation, significant potential liabilities and a deteriorating financial situation. >> this obviously begs the question, now what. >> governor gavin newsom says the cal fire report raises questions about pg&e's bankruptcy next week, adding it is the utility's decision to make alone. >> my focus is not pg&e. my focus is on california and californians. my focus is on safe, reliable and affordable service. >> reporter: pg&e is receiving pushback on its bankruptcy pl

the red pin shows the fire's point of origin on bennett lane. pg&e says the cal fire report doesn't change the company's insurmountable financial challenges. it's expected to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy next week. in a statement, the company says pg&e still faces extensive litigation, significant potential liabilities and deteriorating financial situation, which was further impaired by the recent credit agency downgrade to below investment grade. >>> developing news today, 800,000 federal workers are missing their second paycheck. >> the shutdown is now on day 35. lasting so long that the federal courts are running out of money. civil cases are expected to be suspended now. but for the first time in weeks, there are signs that washington leaders may be moving towards progress. yesterday a handful of republican senators crossed party lines to vote for the democrats' bill to reopen the government. it received more votes than the president's proposal. now president trump says he could be amenable to reopening the government if democrats make a p

the cause started at a home on bennett lane in calistoga.kron 4 was there right after the tubbs fire started.. because for weeks neighbors told us, investigators were there collecting evidence.cal fire said in its 80 page report the fire started in a privately owned conductor or equipment located on a private residence. it took almost 15 months to get to this result.and investigators said they did not find any violations of state law.people i spoke with... who all lost their homes in in the fire.... despite hearing the results of the cal fire report.. are still holding pge accountable. "i cant worry about pge is or isnt but maybe it will change the system.it is really horrible i feel so sorry for all the people who have gone though this i feel pge has not been tangf not taking care of their lines and transformers properly."the question so many victims had... does this finding let pge off the hook ? (justine) so what does this mean for lawsuits...because hundreds of homeowers either did not have insurance or were under insured... santa rosa attorney roy miller who represents 1,200 peo

. >> reporter: he lives on bennett lane across the street from where the tubbs fire started. he is not surprised they have found pg&e is not to blame. >> we kind of figured that. we see everyone around here and they were investigating so much i'll have never net neighbors but i heard that it was an old lady and it wasn't surprising that she wasn't maintaining her electrical equipment. >> reporter: we did try contacting his neighbor for comment. the final 80-page report does not spell out any sanctions against the propertywn right. we have to be 100% right. this is purely scientific, rais question about families who lost their homes and filed suit against the power company. one still plans on moving forward. >> they had an opportunity to shut the power off knowing a spark would happen someplace. that hand changed. >> gavin newsom questioned filing for bankruptcy. >> this begs the question, now what? do we anticipate that pg&e will move forward? >> and in a prepared statement, they said, in part, regardless of the announcement, pg&e still faces extensive litigation, significant

oct. 8, 2017, was in a privately owned conductor or equipment located on a private residence off bennett lanen calistoga. people i spoke with... all lost their homes in in the fire.. and despite the report.. are still holding pge accountable. (justine) so what does this mean for lawsuits...because hundreds of homeowers either did not have insurance or were under insured... santa rosa attorney roy miller who represents 1,200 people who are suing pg&e for lost homes and other damages, .. tells me said the cal fire report "changes zero." (grant) (grant) (grant) thanks justine. and we have team coverage tonight of the cause of the tubbs fire. (vicki) kron 4's ashley zavala is live in sacramento where governor newsom spoke a short time ago. ashley? ((ashley))now that calfire determined pg&e is not responsible for the tubbs says his office estimates the tubbs fire would have accounted for more than half of pg&e's potential liability in recent wildfires.pg&e planned to file for bankruptcy citing the 30 billion dollars it faces in liability.. the governor's office says the tubbs fire accounted for 17

it was on the private property adjacent to a home on bennett lane and chopper 5 blue over the 10 acre site yesterday. cal fire said the fire began with a hole that was weakened by the woodpecker damage. the tubbs fire destroyed over 56 structures in 2017 in sonoma county and they have cleared pg&e of this fire. investigators determined that the utility equipment cost 17 other wildfires in that same month. >> i hope that pg&e is not celebrating because of this because there are many victims and those that pay the rates that will be affected, more so than they have through these devastating fires. >> the santa rosa attorney is suing pg&e on behalf of 400 people, disputing the new findings regarding the tubbs fire, pg&e saying that regardless of the announcement from yesterday they face litigation, substantial liability and deteriorating financial situation. cal fire is looking into the possible link between the campfire last year that killed 86 in butte county with pg&e. >>> the pg&e stocks were soaring, closing at almost $14 a share up by almost 85% but shattered due to the impending b

on bennett lane. chopper 5 flew over the 10-acre site late today. cal fire says the 91-year-old owner's private electrical equipment failed. so.. what does this mean for fire victims? kpix 5's betty yu is live for us...outside pg&e headquarters in san francisco... tonight.. betty? betty: pg&e cal fire says it has a large area to cover and they had to send many things to a lab to get tested . this one was difficult and very involved.. ã the tubbs fire killed 22 people and destroyed thousands of structures in napa and sonoma counties in 2017. ã sot: dep. dir. mike mohler / cal fire "cal fire determined that this was not a pg and e caused fire, this was actually traced back to the point of origin which was a private land area that had power on it with no responsibility to the utility." ã but pg and e is not out of the woods. cal fire found that it was responsible for 17 major fires in october of that same year. ã sot: state sen. jerry hill/(d) san mateo "i hope pg and e is not celebrating because of this because there are a lot of people now who - a lo

he lives on bennett lane acrossed street from where investigators say the tubbs started. he's not surprised calfire found pga is not to blame. >> we figured that. we've seen everyone around here, they were investigating so much and i'd never met the neighbors, but heard it was an old lady and it's not surprising she wasn't maintaining her electrical equipment. >> reporter: we did try contacting his neighbor for comment and have not received a reply to multiple voice messages. cal fire's final 08-page report does not spell out any sanctions against the property owner but concludes pg&e has no blame. >> we have to be 100% right. there are no outside influences. this is purely scientific methodical. >> reporter: this raises a major issue for families who lost their homes and filed suit against the power company. one plaintiff's attorney says he plans on moving forward. >> they had the opportunity to shut the power off knowing a spark would happen someplace. that hasn't changed. >> reporter: governor gavin newsom questioned the recent plans to file for bankruptcy. >> this obv

investigators say the fire point of origin was on private property, a few miles north of calistoga on bennett lanechopper number five over the 10 acre site today. cal fire says the 91 year owners private electrical equipment failed. so what does this mean for fire victims? betty yu is outside pg&e headquarters in san francisco tonight. betty, what can you tell us? >> reporter: well, veronica we know at least one lawyer prting victims tnclu t going la ains whether pg&e will still pursue bankruptcy protection. the tub spire killed 22 people and destroyed thousands of structures in napa and sonoma county in 2017. >> hellfire determined this was not a pg&e did caused by a this was actually traced back to point of origin which was a private land area that had power on it with no responsibility to the utility. >> reporter: but pg&e is not out of the woods. cal fire found that it was responsible for 17 major fires oyear. >> i hope pg&e is not celebrating, because of this because there are a lot of people now, a lot of victims and rate payers who are going to be affected, more so than they have through th

a home on a ten-acre plot on bennett lane in calistoga, owned by an elderly woman who was out of town did not start with the pg&e equipment, that the tubbs fire was caused by a private electrical system

cal fire investigators say the fire started on a private property on bennett lane in calistoga.y say the fire sparked from an independent electrical system not operated by pg&e. from there the fire spread in napa, lake and sonoma counties. it is know for destroying the coffey park and fountain grove neighborhoods. despite hearing the results of the cal fire report ... people who lost their homes are still holding pge accountable. < i cant worry about pge is or isnt but maybe it will change the system.i feel pge has not been taking care of business there is a history of not taking care of their lines and transformers properly.>( darya ) pg&e has announced plans to file for bankruptcy at the end of the month ... citing the 30 billion dollars it faces in liability. the tubbs fire accounted for 17 billion of that. governor gavin newsom says its still up to pg&e to decide whether the utility will file for ( darya ) coming up... east bay police say they've solved a cold case homicide that's decades old. details on the arrest... after the break. ( darya )and... bart police are doing wh

cal fire investigators say the fire started on a private property on bennett lane in calistoga.say the fire sparked from an independent electrical system not operated by pg&e. from there the fire spread in napa, lake and sonoma counties. it is know for destroying the coffey park and fountain grove neighborhoods. despite hearing the results of the cal fire report ... people who lost their homes are still holding pge accountable. ( james )( james ) pg&e has announced plans to file for bankruptcy at the end of the month ... citingthe 30 billion dollars it faces in liability. the tubbs fire accounted for 17 billion of that. governor gavin newsom says its still up to pg&e to decide whether the utility will file for bankruptcy. ( james ) police in the south bay say problems with the santa clara county court system is putting officers and the public in danger. back in november the superior