A California utility company has been accused of starting the LA fire in several lawsuits
Christian Force, a Los Angeles County resident and research fellow at the California Independent Institute, said as officials struggle to contain the devastating wildfires, local residents are wondering where their tax dollars are going.
A California utility company is facing multiple lawsuits alleging its equipment started the Eaton Fire, the largest of several blazes in the past week. It burns in the Los Angeles area.
Southern California Edison, owned by Edison International, was hit with four lawsuits on Monday, all of which accuse the company of fueling the fire, the Los Angeles Times reported. Eaton fire It alone burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed more than 2,700 structures, and killed 15 people.
Homes burn as strong winds drive the Eaton Fire on January 7, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (David McNew/Getty Images/Getty Images)
The lawsuits were filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of homeowners, renters, business owners and other properties destroyed by the Eaton fire in the Pasadena area.
At least 24 people were killed and more than 90,000 residents were forced to flee their homes after several fires broke out last Tuesday. Officials said more than two dozen people were missing.
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The Eaton fire in the eastern hills City of Los Angeles It’s the second most destructive wildfire in California history, one complaint says.
They cited several eyewitnesses and pictures that appeared to show a fire under a transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison (SCE) before strong Santa Ana winds quickly spread the flames.
Power lines after the Eaton Fire in the hills above Altadena, California on January 13, 2025. (Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The lawsuits allege that Edison’s infrastructure in the area still had power at the time of the fire. On Wednesday, Southern California Edison said its distribution lines west of Eaton Canyon lost power well before the fire was reported.
Edison International did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment on the lawsuit, but a spokesperson for SoCal Edison previously told KTLA-TV, “Our hearts go out to our communities and we remain committed to the devastating fires in Southern California.” To support them in this difficult time.”
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“SCE employees, contractors and mutual aid partners are committed to safely restoring power to our customers,” the statement continues. “SCE understands that a lawsuit has been filed related to the Eaton Fire, but no complaint has yet been filed. SCE will review the complaint upon receipt. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
Southern California Edison workers replace a transformer on Holt Street in Santa Ana, California on September 10, 2021. The company has been accused of starting the Eaton Fire. (Paul Bersebach/Register Media News Group/Orange County/Getty Images)
| Ticker | Security | last one | Change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis | Edison International | 57.71 | +0.49 |
+ 0.86% |
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Shares of Edison International fell as much as 12 percent to $57.24 on Monday. They have fallen about 27 percent since the fire broke out last week.
Reuters contributed to this report.