In a significant legal move, victims of the catastrophic Cudlee Creek bushfire from 2019 have launched one of South Australia’s largest-ever class actions, demanding compensation exceeding $200 million.

The blaze that erupted on December 20, 2019, left a trail of destruction across South Australia, consuming over 20,000 hectares, destroying more than 80 homes, and resulting in one fatality.

The lawsuit accuses SA Power Networks of negligence, claiming the fire originated from a fallen pine tree that struck a powerline.

Attorneys representing the thousands of claimants argue that SA Power Networks failed in their duty to properly maintain the powerlines, despite previous incidents of tree falls in the vicinity.

“If a fire is caused by natural events like lightning, it’s something you have to accept as a part of life,” remarked lead plaintiff Kris Thrower.

“But when it’s man-made, it’s very, very different… it does make you very, very angry.”

Thrower’s home was destroyed in the devastating blaze, leaving him with next to nothing.

“All I had was working pants and a shirt… I didn’t even have a toothbrush, neither did my family or anyone else,” he said.

“My firm’s been doing bushfire litigation since 1983 right across Australia, and this is the biggest case we’ve been involved in,” plaintiff solicitor Brendan Pendergast said.

The landmark class action trial is one of the largest in South Australian history.

It’s expected to run for at least the next five weeks and will hear evidence from a number of internationally regarded experts.

The plaintiffs are seeking more than $200 million in compensation. 

SA Power Networks has denied the allegations.