|
The
utility filed cross-complaints in Los Angeles Superior Court on
Friday against Los Angeles County, Pasadena Water and Power and
five other water agencies, KABC-TV reported. SoCal Edison also
filed a separate court complaint against SoCalGas.
The fire that ignited on Jan. 7, 2025, killed 19 people and
destroyed more than 9,400 homes and other structures. It took
firefighters nearly a month to extinguish the blaze, which
scorched 22 square miles (57 square kilometers).
The cause remains under investigation, but evidence suggests one
of the utility's idled power lines might have sparked the fire.
SoCal Edison claims in the lawsuits that Los Angeles County
agencies failed to send timely evacuation warnings to residents
in east and west Altadena. Eighteen of the 19 people who died in
the fire lived in west Altadena.
Los Angeles County declined to comment about the latest court
filings.
The utility also claims water agencies, including Pasadena Water
and Power, did not provide enough water as the fire spread,
leaving firefighters with limited resources.
In a separate court filing, SoCal Edison blames SoCalGas,
claiming the gas utility did not begin widespread shutoffs until
four days after the fire started. SoCal Edison says gas leaks
and gas-fed fires helped fuel the blaze.
SoCalGas said it is reviewing the complaint and will respond
through the judicial process. Meanwhile, Pasadena officials
rejected SoCal Edison’s claims, saying the city believes the
utility's equipment caused the fire.
SoCal Edison is facing 998 lawsuits from fire victims, insurers
and government entities. The U.S. Department of Justice has also
sued the company over damage to National Forest land.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
|
|
