Illegal Wiring A Big Problem, Especially In Low-Income Housing

By ABC-7’s Ken Molestina

Investigators in Chaparral think illegal wiring caused a fire that killed three people, and it turns out illegal wiring is more common than you think.

Vicente Gonzales says he is standing by his friend, 40-year-old Abraham Rodriguez, who is charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and three counts of negligent arson.

According to investigators, he was responsible for stealing electricity and setting up faulty wiring that ignited the deadly fire.

“A lot of times it’s a lack of knowledge as to what they have to do to enforce a code,” says El Paso Electric inspector Tony Lara. Now Lara didn’t look into this case himself, nor is he a fire marshall, but he’s been an inspector with El Paso Electric for the last 30 years.

Lara says low-income families often choose faulty electrical hookups in order to save a buck, adding it happens a lot, especially in places like Chaparral. “They’re trying to cut corners and the electrician will wire your electrical service wrong,” he says.

Gonzales says his friend was not a thief of electricity, nor was he trying to hurt anyone. Instead, says Gonzales, his friend was simply trying to help a family by inviting them to live at the mobile home when it caught fire in November, killing the three people.

In addition, Gonzales he can’t understand why authorities think his friend is responsible.