Second-largest utility in California accused of starting LA fire

[Karah]

CALIFORNIA’S SECOND LARGEST UTILITY IS BEING ACCUSED OF STARTING ONE OF THE DEVASTING LOS ANGELES FIRES THAT HAVE COLLECTIVELY KILLED AT LEAST 24 PEOPLE AND DISPLACED TENS OF THOUSANDS.

L-A RESIDENT JEREMY GURSEY MADE THESE CLAIMS IN A LAWSUIT FILED THIS WEEK AGAINST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON.

HE SAYS THE EATON FIRE WHICH DESTROYED HIS ALTADENA HOME WAS IGNITED BY THE COMPANY’S EQUIPMENT.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON HAS DENIED THE ALLEGATION-

SAYING THEIR ANALYSIS OF CIRCUITS AND TRANSMISSION LINES IN THE AREA SHOWED NO OPERATIONAL ANOMALIES IN THE 12 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE’S REPORTED START TIME.

THE UTILITY ADDED THAT THERE WERE NO INTERRUPTIONS UNTIL MORE THAN AN HOUR AFTER THE FIRE IGNITED.

LOCAL OFFICIALS STATED THE CAUSE OF THIS FIRE REMAINS UNDETERMINED-

BUT CONFIRMED THEY ARE INVESTIGATING AN ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION TOWER IN EATON CANYON AS A POTENTIAL ORIGIN SITE.

THE SUIT, FILED IN LA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, SEEKS COMPENSATORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

A SIMILAR LAWSUIT AGAINST UTILITY P-G AND E RESULTED IN THAT CALIFORNIA ELECTRIC PROVIDER DECLARING BANKRUPTCY IN 2019.

MEANWHILE, SEVERAL ADDITIONAL SUITS HAVE EMERGED AGAINST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON AS A RESULT OF THE LA FIRES.

ONE FILED ON BEHALF OF PEOPLE WHOSE HOMES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WERE DESTROYED IN THE PALISADES FIRE ACCUSES THE UTILITY OF NEGLIGENCE-

SAYING IT FAILED TO DE-ENERGIZE ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA THAT DAY DESPITE REPEATED AND CLEAR WARNINGS.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON WROTE IN A STATEMENT THAT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN SERVED WITH THIS LAWSUIT BUT WILL REVIEW THE COMPLAINT WHEN RECEIVED.

ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING PLAINTIFFS IN THESE CASES SAY THEY ARE CONTINUING TO MEET WITH OTHER FIRE VICTIMS WHO MAY ALSO HAVE CASES AGAINST THE UTILITY-

AND NOTE MORE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON IS LIKELY TO COME.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KARAH RUCKER.