Lawsuits filed on Monday allege that utility equipment operated by Southern California Edison (SCE) sparked the catastrophic Eaton Fire near Pasadena. Meanwhile, the cause of a second fire in Pacific Palisades remains under investigation, with residents speculating it may have reignited from an earlier blaze.
The Eaton Fire: Destruction and Allegations
The Eaton Fire erupted last Tuesday, claiming at least 24 lives and destroying more than 7,000 homes and structures. Attorneys representing affected homeowners argue that SCE’s electrical equipment was the cause. Video evidence reportedly shows flames erupting beneath power lines in the fire’s early stages.
One lawsuit, filed on behalf of Altadena resident Evangeline Iglesias, cites eyewitness accounts and video footage as evidence.
Gabriela Ornelas, a spokesperson for SCE, expressed sympathy for those affected but said the company had not reviewed the lawsuit. “We remain committed to supporting our communities during this difficult time,” she said.
Utility Denies Responsibility
SCE has filed reports with the California Public Utilities Commission stating there was no evidence suggesting its equipment caused the Eaton Fire. According to SCE, its transmission lines showed no operational anomalies until an hour after the fire’s reported start time.
In a separate filing, SCE reported a “downed conductor” near the site of the smaller Hurst Fire in Sylmar. The utility noted that it was unclear whether the damage occurred before or after the fire began.
Pacific Palisades Fire: Rekindling Concerns
Residents of Pacific Palisades are drawing connections between the devastating fire that began on January 7 and a smaller New Year’s Day fire in the same location. Some believe hurricane-force winds may have reignited embers from the earlier blaze.
Sue Pascoe, a local resident and journalist, expressed skepticism about the coincidence. “It’s almost exactly the same spot,” she said. “The fireworks went off that night. The firefighters were there.”
The New Year’s Day fire was reported as contained within five hours, but strong winds on January 7 may have reignited lingering embers.
Ongoing Investigations by Federal Authorities
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has taken the lead in investigating both fires. While no official causes have been determined, authorities are conducting thorough assessments of each site.
Ginger Colbrun, an ATF spokesperson, stated that the Palisades investigation is still in its early stages. “We are processing the scene to determine the cause,” she said.