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Edison Sues L.A. County, SoCalGas and Water Agencies Over Eaton Fire Losses

The utility moves to bring public agencies into court to share responsibility for damages.

Overview

  • Southern California Edison filed cross-complaints in Los Angeles Superior Court targeting Los Angeles County, SoCalGas, Genasys and six local water providers.
  • The suits allege delayed evacuation alerts in west Altadena, insufficient firefighting resources, overgrown brush and dry hydrants intensified the toll.
  • A separate filing claims SoCalGas waited four days to begin widespread shutoffs, leading to gas-fueled flare-ups that hampered firefighting.
  • The Eaton fire killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 structures, and SCE now faces roughly 1,000 lawsuits plus a federal case by the Justice Department.
  • The cause remains under investigation, SCE has cited a dormant line as a leading theory, and a state review of wildfire liability rules drawing survivor criticism is due April 1.