Lawsuits Initiated Against Utility Company Following Los Angeles-Area Blaze
Multiple lawsuits claim that the company neglected to de-energize its power lines, igniting one of the significant fires currently raging in Southern California.
On January 13, multiple lawsuits were initiated in Los Angeles Superior Court against Southern California Edison (SCE), an electric utility firm, alleging its role in causing one of two major fires burning in the region.
The lawsuits contend that SCE’s failure to properly de-energize its power lines was responsible for the Eaton fire, which has scorched over 14,000 acres around Altadena, northeast of Los Angeles, and has resulted in at least 16 fatalities since its outbreak a week ago.
While authorities have yet to declare an official cause for the fire, footage captured during the early stages of the incident depicts a sizable blaze directly beneath electrical towers.
The lawsuit asserts that the Eaton Fire was ignited due to SCE’s “failure to de-energize its overhead distribution and/or transmission power lines traversing Eaton Canyon on the evening the Eaton Fire began, despite a Red Flag [Particularly Dangerous Situation] warning issued by the National Weather Service the day prior.”
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Attorneys representing Evangeline Iglesias, another resident who lost her home in Altadena, also lodged a lawsuit on the same day.
Jeff Monford, a spokesperson for SCE, stated to The Epoch Times, “SCE is aware of a lawsuit regarding the Eaton fire, although the complaint has not yet been served.”
“SCE will assess the complaint upon receipt. The cause of the fire remains under investigation,” Monford added, “Our thoughts are with the community impacted by this devastating fire. … SCE crews, contractors, and mutual assistance partners are committed to restoring power safely to our customers.”
Southern California Edison workers service a utility pole in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 12, 2025. Ethan Swope/AP Photo
The Eaton Fire ignited around 6:15 PM on January 7.
SCE indicated in its report, “This submission is made out of an abundance of caution as the incident may satisfy the technical reporting criteria,” further noting, “Online publications have suggested that SCE equipment might be linked to its cause.”
The utility company also stated that “initial analysis by SCE of the electrical circuit data for the energized transmission lines in the vicinity during the 12 hours before the fire broke out showed no disruptions or operational anomalies until over an hour after the reported start time of the fire.”
Under California regulations and CPUC policies, utility companies bear liability for wildfires instigated by their equipment, irrespective of whether negligence is established. The laws and policies also permit utilities to transfer such costs to consumers, resulting in increased rates.
The report also pointed out that California utility companies have incurred “unprecedented expenditures” for wildfire mitigation efforts, which have often led to rate hikes.
Some of the most catastrophic and historic wildfires in California include the 2018 Camp fire, the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2021 Dixie fire in northern California, along with the 2017 Thomas fire, the 2018 Woolsey fire in southern California, and the 2007 Witch fire in San Diego County—all of which were attributed to utility power lines or equipment.
This report was contributed to by The Associated Press.
