Washington (AP) Federal regulators are proposing more than $1 million in penalties against the two companies involved in a fatal tunnel fire last year in Georgetown, Colorado.

The Labor Department's Occupational Safety And Health Administration has proposed $845,100 in penalties against RPI coating inc. And $189,900 against Xcel Energy “for alleged serious and willful violations of federal workplace safety and health
standards.”

The fire began on Oct. 2nd at the Xcel Energy Cabin Creek Hydroelectric plant in Georgetown while employees were in a tunnel cleaning a sprayer with a flammable solvent. Vapor from the solvent ignited and five employees working deep inside the tunnel died from asphyxiation.

Both Rpi and Xcel declined immediate comment.