PASADENA, Calif. – The City of Pasadena and Los Angeles County have filed lawsuits against Southern California Edison (SCE), alleging that the utility’s electrical equipment caused the devastating Eaton Fire in January. The lawsuits seek compensation for extensive damages to public infrastructure, emergency response costs, and environmental cleanup efforts.
The Eaton Fire, which ignited on January 7, burned over 14,000 acres, destroyed approximately 9,400 structures, damaged more than 1,000 others, and claimed 17 lives, making it one of the most destructive wildfires in California history. Officials say the impact on municipal operations has been severe, with essential city facilities and infrastructure sustaining major damage.
Lawsuit Alleges Edison Negligence Led to Fire
The lawsuits, filed Wednesday, cite SCE’s own regulatory filings, which acknowledge an electrical system fault at the time and place the fire ignited. Attorneys for Pasadena and Los Angeles County argue that Edison failed to properly inspect, maintain, and de-energize its electrical infrastructure, even after multiple extreme fire danger warnings were issued in the days leading up to the fire.
Pasadena’s lawsuit specifically alleges that a momentary surge of electrical current was detected along an SCE transmission circuit at the suspected origin point of the fire. Video evidence and photographs included in the complaint show electrical activity near an idle transmission tower—which had been decommissioned for over 50 years but was inexplicably re-energized.
The legal claims against SCE include:
- Inverse condemnation (holding the utility liable for damages caused by its infrastructure)
- Negligence
- Trespass
- Nuisance
- Premises liability
- Violations of Public Utilities and Health & Safety Codes
The City of Sierra Madre is also preparing to file a similar lawsuit, adding to the mounting legal challenges against SCE.
Widespread Damage to Pasadena’s Public Infrastructure
The lawsuits detail the destruction of critical municipal assets, including:
- Pasadena Police Department’s Advanced Officer Training Facility
- Pasadena Municipal Assistance, Solutions, and Hiring (MASH) building and fleet
- Critical water management infrastructure, including damaged storage tanks
City officials emphasize that the destruction of essential public facilities requires significant investment to restore and rebuild. While Pasadena’s recovery efforts are ongoing, the city is seeking appropriate compensation for the costs of rebuilding the infrastructure that residents rely upon. The lawsuit is part of broader efforts to hold responsible parties accountable while ensuring the full restoration of municipal services.
Warnings Ignored: Extreme Fire Conditions Before the Blaze
The lawsuit also highlights how weather officials had repeatedly warned of extreme fire danger in the days before the Eaton Fire erupted. The National Weather Service issued multiple advisories, escalating to a Red Flag Warning on the morning of January 7, when winds reached hazardous levels. Despite these warnings, SCE allegedly failed to take necessary precautions, such as shutting off power to high-risk transmission lines.
Southern California Edison Responds
SCE has not admitted liability, stating that the cause of the Eaton Fire is still under investigation by state and local authorities.
The utility company has indicated that it is exploring all possible causes, including the potential role of its equipment. SCE officials state that they have been actively involved in emergency response, containment, recovery, and investigation efforts since the fire began. They also emphasize that the company is reviewing the lawsuits and will respond through the appropriate legal channels.
Next Steps in the Legal Battle
The lawsuits from Pasadena and Los Angeles County are part of a broader legal push to hold SCE accountable for wildfire damages. These cases follow past litigation against SCE, including settlements for $63 million in the 2018 Woolsey Fire and $80 million in the 2020 Bobcat Fire.
While Pasadena and Los Angeles County seek hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, individual homeowners and businesses affected by the Eaton Fire may also have legal options to pursue compensation.