A California wildfire that killed four individuals and wrecked more than 200 buildings in the northern portion of the state last year sparked when tree branches came in contact with Pacific Gas & Electric power lines, based on the official report released on Monday.

Based on the investigators from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, while running investigation weeks after the California wildfire last year, they have seized equipment under the name of PG&E. Last year's fire tore through rural communities in counties of Shasta and Tehama last September and October.

According to ABC News, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection shared in a short news release that after a meticulous and thorough investigation, the agency has determined that the Zogg Fire was caused by a pine tree contacting electrical distribution lines, which were owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric. PG&E is located north of the community of Igo. Officials of the PG&E, which is one of the six regulated, investor-owned electric utilities in the state of California, responded to a request for comment late Monday.

PG&E expressed their condolences to families of individuals who died and the communities impacted by the tragic Zogg Fire. The utility also recognizes that nothing can heal the hearts of those who have lost so much. They also thanked the responders who saved the lives of the people and protected properties in the area while containing and putting out the fire, San Francisco Chronicle reported.

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Possible Charges

After the California Fire Department carried out a thorough investigation about the Zogg Fire, the agency's investigative report has been forwarded to Shasta County District Attorney's Office. The California wildfire started in Shasta County last year.

Stephanie Bridgett, Shasta County District Attorney, shared in an interview that she had received the criminal investigation completed by Cal Fire. Bridgett also added that the files will be reviewed for filing criminal charges, which includes the possibility of murder charges for each of the four people that lost their lives due to the California wildfire.

Moreover, the California wildfire erupted on September 27, 2020, and during that time, Shasta County experienced high winds, which heightened the situation as the fire quickly grew. The sudden spread of the fire resulted in the death of four individuals in Igo, which at the time has a population of 600 people, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Later on, the fire spread to the neighboring county of Tehama. In over two weeks, the California wildfire scorched more than 88 square miles or roughly 56,000 acres and destroyed 204 buildings. Half of the damaged structures were homes.

The largest utility in the US, PG&E, emerged from bankruptcy stemming from financial fallout from a number of devastating wildfires caused by its utility equipment that killed not less than 100 individuals. It also destroyed more than 27,000 homes and several buildings in 2017 and 2018.

The attorney of two Zogg fire victims, Mark Potter, stated that it is an important step in holding the utility accountable for all the harm that they have done.

WATCH: Deadly Zogg Fire in Shasta County caused by tree hitting PG&E power lines, Cal Fire says - from ABC10

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