LA County, Pasadena and Sierra Madre File Suit Vs. SoCal Edison Over Devastating Eaton Fire
Los Angeles County, along with the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre, has initiated legal action against Southern California Edison (SCE) and its parent company, Edison International, seeking compensation for the extensive damages caused by the deadly Eaton Fire.
County officials assert that SCE’s equipment triggered the catastrophic blaze, forcing the county to shoulder “massive costs” in emergency response and ongoing recovery efforts. Evidence cited in the lawsuit includes witness accounts, photographs, and video footage allegedly showing the fire originating directly beneath SCE transmission lines in Eaton Canyon.
“The Eaton Fire ravaged Altadena’s unincorporated community, decimating county parks, a nature center, multiple trails, and vital community infrastructure,” according to the county’s statement. Officials emphasized that the legal action is “essential to the restoration and rebuilding process,” as numerous county departments continue providing resources and staffing a Disaster Recovery Center to assist affected residents and businesses.
Pasadena’s lawsuit details significant damage to critical municipal assets, including:
- The Police Department’s Advanced Officer Training Facility
- The Municipal Assistance, Solutions, and Hiring (MASH) building and fleet
- Essential water management infrastructure including storage tanks
“While our restoration efforts continue, we have a responsibility to pursue appropriate compensation for rebuilding the public infrastructure our community depends on,” stated a Pasadena Public Information Officer.
The fire’s toll has been devastating – over 14,000 acres burned, more than 9,000 structures destroyed, and 17 lives lost. LA County’s lawsuit further claims the blaze has “massively impacted the County’s natural resources, harmed the environment and wildlife, and threatened public health.”
In response, Southern California Edison acknowledged the lawsuits, stating: “Our hearts are with the communities affected by the wildfires in Southern California. We are reviewing the recently filed lawsuits and will address them through the appropriate legal process.”
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