Texas power company admits its equipment may have caused devastating wildfire

A Texas power company has admitted its equipment may have sparked one of the devastating wildfiresthat ravaged the state in recent days, killing at least three people and burning across nearly 1,700 square miles.

In a statement released on Thursday, Xcel Energy said it had been cooperating with the investigations into the wildfires, while also carrying out its own review.

“Based on currently available information, Xcel Energy acknowledges that its facilities appear to have been involved in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire,” the statement read.

“Xcel Energy disputes claims that it acted negligently in maintaining and operating its infrastructure; however, we encourage people who had property destroyed by or livestock lost in the Smokehouse Creek fire to submit a claim to Xcel Energy through our claims process.”

Locals had accused the company of being responsible for the fire, claiming that a wooden utility pole near Stinnett was blown over by strong winds and then set fire to dry grass and brush.

Authorities have said that the blaze was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of cattle and forced evacuations.