Power company AusNet has rejected a Victorian Coroner’s Court finding that one of the deadly Black Saturday bushfires in 2009 was caused by a failed power line.

Coroner Ian Gray says the Murrindindi fire that killed 40 people and devastated the towns of Marysville, Buxton and Narbethong was sparked by the AusNet line igniting vegetation.

However, AusNet told insuranceNEWS.com.au it strongly disputes the findings.

“We have the deepest sympathy for those impacted by the Black Saturday bushfires,” a spokesman said. “We don’t agree with the coroner’s findings because they were determined without a hearing and the evidence upon which they are based was untested.”

Earlier this year AusNet agreed to a $300 million settlement following a class action, but without any admission of liability.