Title: Lawsuit Accuses SoCal Edison of Causing one of the Los Angeles Fires
Jeremy Gursey, whose residence in Altadena was decimated by the Eaton Fire, accused Southern California Edison (SCE) in a lawsuit filed at LA County Superior Court on Monday, claiming the utility was responsible for initiating the blaze. Authorities also stated on Monday they had yet to pinpoint the cause of the fires, although they were scrutinizing an electrical transmission tower in Eaton Canyon as a potential ignition source, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Gursey presented photographic proof taken by Altadena residents Jennifer and Marcus Errico, who observed a small blaze beneath transmission lines within Eaton Canyon around 6:15 p.m. on January 7. The Erricos informed CNN's Anderson Cooper on Friday that they had discovered the inception of the Eaton fire.
Marcus Errico described his encounter with CNN, "I noticed a glow in the hillslope above our house," he said. "As I approached, I observed a series of transformer towers with power lines stretching into the mountains on the opposite hillside in Eaton Canyon. At the base of one, there was a small ring of flames surrounding the entire structure."
Errico admitted he didn't definitively attribute the blaze to SCE, stating, "I can't say with absolute certainty that it was the power lines that sparked it. However, I can state with certainly that the initial fire in Pasadena and Altadena – Eaton Canyon, which is on the border of Altadena and Pasadena – began there. It ignited beneath that tower on Tuesday night. It started as a tiny blaze beneath and within ten minutes, the entire hillside was engulfed in flames."
SCE issued a declaration on Sunday, affirming its electrical equipment was unlikely to have triggered the fire. The utility reported that a review of circuits and transmission lines in the Eaton Canyon area demonstrated no interruptions or anomalies 12 hours before the reported start time of the fire until an hour after. SCE declined to comment on Monday regarding the lawsuit.
Shares of SCE's parent company, Edison International, (EIX) fell 10% on Monday and have declined by 30% over the past week, causing investors to worry that the company may incur financial liability associated with the fires.
Utilities that have faced similar responsibilities have paid substantial costs. Pacific Gas and Electric, California's largest utility, filed bankruptcy in 2019 due to links to a series of wildfires in California. Additionally, a group of companies settled with residents for $4 billion over their role in the 2023 Lahaina fire.
Richard Bridgford, representing Gursey in the lawsuit, stated that the evidence implicating SCE is accumulating. "They declared that the distribution lines to the east of Eaton Canyon would be energized," Bridgford told CNN. "We realize the ignition point is directly beneath their line. We believe, based on video evidence and extensive discussions with our experts, that they will be found responsible for starting the fire."
Bridgford suggested that SCE's failure to de-energize its overhead wires despite a red flag wind warning issued by the National Weather Service may make the company a suspect in the fire. However, he noted there is currently no solid evidence, stating, "There will always be more evidence emerging."
While Gursey's lawsuit is the first against the electrical utility, Bridgford hinted that additional lawsuits were likely to follow. "We have numerous others lined up," he said.
Enrichment Data Excerpts
- Current Status of the Investigation:The investigation into the cause of the Eaton Fire is ongoing, and authorities have focused primarily on an electrical transmission tower in Eaton Canyon as a potential ignition source. Preliminary photos and videos captured by residents suggest that the fire started at the base of this tower before spreading rapidly through the canyon.
- Role of Southern California Edison (SCE) in the Fire:The lawsuit filed by Jeremy Gursey accuses Southern California Edison of playing a role in the Eaton Fire. The complaint includes satellite photos from Google Earth which allegedly confirm the fire's origin in an area where SCE's overhead circuit lines traverse Eaton Canyon. Additionally, public statements from residents and photos have emerged that show flames emanating from the base of power transmission towers owned and operated by SCE.
- Consequences for Utilities Accused of Contributing to Wildfires:Historically, utilities that have been found responsible for contributing to wildfires have faced substantial financial costs. In 2019, Pacific Gas and Electric, California's largest utility, filed for bankruptcy after being linked to a series of wildfires in California. Furthermore, companies consisting of Hawaiian Electric agreed to pay $4 billion to residents as a result of their role in the 2023 Lahaina fire.
The lawsuit filed by Jeremy Gursey against Southern California Edison (SCE) alleges that the utility's electrical equipment may have initiated the Eaton Fire. If proven responsible, SCE could face substantial financial liability, as utilities that have been found to contribute to wildfires have historically incurred significant costs.
