Eaton Fire cause: New video appears to show origin of deadly blaze,

LOS ANGELES – New surveillance video suggests the deadly Eaton Fire may have been sparked by one of Southern California Edison’s (SCE) power lines.

The new video was obtained by the law firm Edelson PC from a gas station nearby.

While investigators are still working to determine the official cause, Edelson PC founder, Jay Edelson, alleges this real-time video is the strongest evidence yet, that suggests the Eaton Fire started at an SCE transmission tower.

In the edited video, attorneys for Edelson allege that the video shows arcing and sparks falling onto the dry hillside. A few minutes later, there is a flash of light, and within 10 minutes, the hillside begins to burn.

Edelson PC has submitted a supplemental filing in support of its efforts to prevent SCE from destroying any critical evidence as authorities work to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Edelson said they are asking a court to expand its existing order to encompass key physical evidence of the cause of the fire shown in the video.

“It’s only by sheer luck this footage exists, as SCE’s very first move was to plot the destruction or alteration of key evidence, including evidence that at trial we believe will prove why this arcing occurred. Instead of embracing transparency, SCE has misled the public—disingenuously suggesting they had de-energized the relevant lines and even stooping so low as to blame a homeless encampment for the devastation,” Jay Edelson, founder of Edelson PC said in a statement.

The legal and advocacy group of LA Fire Justice, which includes consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, held a press briefing to share additional videos, pictures, and graphic renderings of the possible origin of the Eaton Fire.

Their findings concluded that the origin of the fire was the base of transmission line #3 and the transmission line was energized by SCE equipment.

“There was an entire community that was leveled by Southern California Edison’s equipment. It did not have to happen, it should have not happened, it’s a repeat offender from the standpoint of Thomas, Woolsey, Bobcat, and now this,” said trial lawyer Mikal Watts.

SoCal Edison responds

SCE said they received the video on Saturday from the New York Times and immediately shared it with fire investigators.

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Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokesperson for SCE, said the video needs to be analyzed more, and it is premature to comment and speculate on what that footage means.

“Southern California Edison is committed to transparency, and we’re committed to conducting this investigation in a thorough manner. This is an ongoing investigation and we are at a very early stage right now. Our hearts go out to everyone in Southern California who’s been impacted by these wildfires,” Dunleavy said to reporters Monday.

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against SCE alleging they failed to comply with essential electrical and fire safety standards, including failing to maintain power lines and overgrown vegetation.

The Eaton Fire has burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena since Jan. 7, leaving at least 17 people dead, according to Cal Fire. Nine firefighters were injured battling the blaze. It has destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged another 1,073.

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