Kristian Fors, a Los Angeles County resident and researcher at a California-based nonprofit, says locals are wondering what to do as officials struggle to contain the devastating wildfires.
The California company is facing multiple lawsuits alleging that its equipment started the Eaton Fire, one of the largest fires that broke out last week and is still burning in the Los Angeles area.
Southern California Edison, owned by Edison International, was hit with four lawsuits Monday, all accusing the company of starting the fire, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Eaton fire alone has burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed more than 2,700 structures and left 15 people dead.
Homes burn as strong winds drive the Eaton Fire on Jan. 7, 2025, 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 others whose properties were destroyed by the Eaton Fire in the Pasadena area.
At least 24 people have died since multiple fires broke out last Tuesday, and more than 90,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes. More than two dozen people were reported missing, authorities said.
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The Eaton Fire in the hills east of downtown Los Angeles is the second most destructive inferno in California history, according to one complaint.
The suits cited multiple eyewitness accounts and photographs that appeared to show a fire at the base of a transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison (SCE) before a powerful Santa Ana storm quickly fanned the flames.
Power lines after the Eaton Fire in the hills above Altadena, California, on Jan. 13, 2025. (Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The lawsuits allege that Edison’s infrastructure in the area was still operational at the time of the fire. Last Wednesday, Southern California Edison said its distribution lines west of Eaton Canyon lost power earlier than the reported start time of the fire.
Edison International did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment on the lawsuits, but a SoCal Edison spokesperson previously told KTLA-TV in a statement, “Our hearts go out to our communities during the devastating fires here in Southern California and we remain committed to supporting them at this time.” difficult.”
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“SCE employees, contractors and utility partners are dedicated to safely restoring power to our customers,” the statement continued. “SCE understands that a lawsuit related to the Eaton Fire has been filed, but a complaint has not yet been served. SCE will review the complaint once it is received. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.”
Workers with Southern California Edison replace a transformer on Holt Street in Santa Ana, California on Sept. 10, 2021. The company is accused of starting the Eaton Fire. (Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
| A ticker | Security | Finally | Change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IX | EDISON INTERNATIONAL | 57.71 | +0.49 |
+0.86% |
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Shares of Edison International fell nearly 12% to $57.24. They are down about 27% since the fires broke out last week.
Reuters contributed to this report.