A class action against Endeavour Energy over the 2013 Blue Mountains bushfires reached court last week, with the hearing expected to last more than two months.

About 50 days have seen set aside for the Supreme Court of NSW hearing before Justice Peter Garling, the court told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Plaintiffs in the case, represented by bushfire litigation experts Maddens Lawyers, allege “breaches of duties of care” by Endeavour Energy were to blame for the Springwood-Winmalee fire in October 2013.

Poor maintenance of a “hazardous” tree caused it to fall on electrical conductors on October 17, they say. The suit’s statement of claim says Endeavour failed to “ensure appropriate clearance distances” were maintained between vegetation and conductors.

Endeavour, in denying responsibility, “does not know and cannot admit where the fire started”, according to its defence, filed in response to the statement of claim.

The blaze, which burned until November, destroyed 200 homes and damaged 200 more.