Building and Energy WA has commenced legal action against Western Power, alleging the state-owned electricity provider breached safety regulations that led to a massive bushfire in February last year.

The state’s energy watchdog launched the proceedings after completing its investigation into the Wickepin-Narrogin bushfire.

“The legislation requires network operators to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that their network is designed, constructed, operated and maintained so as to ensure that it is safe,” Building and Energy WA said.

“The fire started when Western Power’s power line conductors clashed, causing ignition of the dry grass below.”

The case is listed for mention on Tuesday in Narrogin Magistrates Court.

insuranceNEWS.com.au has reached out to Western Power for a response to the launch of legal proceedings against the utility operator.

Building and Energy WA says following the bushfire, Western Power provided the Director of Energy Safety with a plan to reduce the risk posed by power lines in its network of a similar construction to the one that caused the Wickepin-Narrogin incident.

The watchdog has been monitoring Western Power’s progress with the remediation program.

The Wickepin-Narrogin blaze in the state’s wheatbelt region on February 6 last year burned more than 18,000 hectares of farms and native bushland.