4 lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison over Eaton fire

Four lawsuits filed Monday accuse Southern California Edison of starting the Eaton Fire, one of the deadly blazes that broke out last week during a historic storm that destroyed hundreds of homes.

Attorneys for Altadena-area homeowners announced the lawsuits Monday, saying their clients would either have to evacuate their homes or lose their homes entirely in the Eaton Fire. Each lawsuit places blame on the utility company because the fire started beneath a Southern California Edison transmission tower. Officials have not determined the cause of the fire.

“We believe the Eaton Fire was caused by SCE's failure to cut its overhead power lines across Eaton Canyon,” said attorney Richard Bridgford, who represents local homeowners.

Three other lawsuits were filed Monday — one on behalf of a FedEx worker who lost his Altadena home, a second on behalf of a homeowner who rented a property in Altadena and a third on behalf of multiple Altadena residents. The Tadina homeowner — echoed that sentiment.

Ali Moghaddas, an attorney representing FedEx employees, said the utility company was unable to stop the massive wildfire despite weather forecasts and wildfire plans.

“They were aware of a major wind event that was coming that week,” Mogadas said. “They choose not to use all the tools at their disposal.”

Attorney Gerald Singleton of Singleton Schreiber, who is suing SCE on behalf of another homeowner who rents the property, said that even though the Eaton Fire was only 33% contained, it was so early Part of the reason for filing a lawsuit is to preserve evidence.

He said that while the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, photos and videos from the early stages of the fire point to electrical equipment.

“Everything we've seen points to the Edison wires being the cause of the fire,” he said.

An attorney representing several Altadena residents accused the company of failing to shut off power from transmission lines as high winds blew through the area.

“During the life-threatening fire weather conditions predicted by the National Weather Service, SCE did not cut power lines to the fire area,” said Alexander Robertson.

Jeff Monford, a spokesman for the utility, said the company is aware of the lawsuits but has not yet received notice of service.

“SCE will conduct a review upon receipt of the complaint. The cause of the fire remains under investigation,” he said. “Our thoughts are with our communities during the devastating fires in Southern California and we remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time.”

The utility said in a statement that it did not believe its transmission towers were responsible for the fire. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is investigating the Eaton Fire.

A report in The Times found that Cal Fire had cordoned off the transmission tower where the fire started.

The lawsuits point to Southern California Edison's responsibility in other wildfires and the fact that fires started under transmission towers as evidence that the company's wires started the blazes, but experts say it's too early to draw any conclusions.

“This looks bad for Edison. But do we know? There's a difference between looking bad and knowing. We don't know yet,” said Michael Vara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University.

The Eaton Fire began burning around 6:15 p.m. on January 7, and early footage and photos captured by residents and shared with The Times showed the fire occurring directly beneath the Southern California Edison transmission tower.

The fire has destroyed hundreds of buildings and killed at least 17 people, with only 33% of the fire currently under control.