Kenwood woman sues PG&E for causing fires

Pamela Schrock claims the fire was caused by utility neglectfulness|

Pamela Schrock, 69, of Kenwood, on Oct. 19 filed what is believed to be the first lawsuit against PG&E by a Sonoma Valley resident in the wake of the North Bay fires that began on Oct. 8. The first lawsuit filed in Santa Rosa was filed on Oct. 17 by Wayne and Jennifer Harvell.

Schrock’s lawsuit alleges that Pacific Gas and Electric Company “caused the devastating October 2017 Nuns Fire” that claimed her house.

Schrock’s owned a home on Treehaven Drive, a road just west of Highway 12 in Kenwood that lost more than 40 structures according to Cal Fire maps released on Oct. 19.

Three law firms, going under the new moniker of the Wildfire Legal Group: Adler Law Group, Fox Law, and Sieglock Law, filed the lawsuit jointly on behalf of Schrock, who is a 27-year resident of Sonoma County. The firms expect to file multiple complaints on behalf of other plaintiffs who suffered fire damages.

The complaint alleges that Schrock lost her home as a result of the Nuns Fire and that PG&E is liable due to negligent and improper maintenance, inspection, repair and ownership of the electrical distribution system owned, operated and maintained by PG&E.

When reached by phone on Thursday, Adler Law Group attorney Elliott Adler said that it is their belief that the Nuns Fire was caused by a downed power line and vegetation that was not properly maintained by PG&E.

His firm is doing their own research while they await the official investigation report from Cal Fire.

Jennifer Robison, corporate relations at PG&E, provided this statement: “As the fires continue to burn, we’re focused on supporting firefighting efforts to contain the fires and protect life and property. Once it is safe to do so, restoring power and gas service safely and as quickly as possible will be our priority. We aren’t going to speculate about any of the causes of the fires and will cooperate with the reviews by any relevant regulator or agency.”

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.