Southern California Edison is facing a lawsuit from residents who allege the utility may have destroyed evidence that could help determine the cause of a deadly wildfire that killed at least 16 people and destroyed over 7,000 structures in Altadena. Attorneys for one resident claim Edison planned to discard equipment near electrical towers where flames were first seen, raising concerns about a potential cover-up.
In this photo provided by Pasadena, Calif., resident Matt Logelin, flames burn beneath transmission towers owned by Southern California Edison in Eaton Canyon in the early evening of Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. say Southern California Edison crews working to repair and restore power in the area may have destroyed evidence that could help determine what sparked the wildfire.
“SCE’s counsel stated in no uncertain terms that SCE planned to destroy ‘damaged distribution and related equipment in Altadena’ and ‘electrical infrastructure’" in Eaton Canyon unless plaintiff's attorneys identified each specific piece of evidence that had to be preserved, attorneys wrote. “Our hearts remain with our communities during the devastating fires in Southern California, and we remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time,” she said.
Aerial images provided by the Vexcel Data Program show eight work trucks in the area northwest of the Eaton Valley electrical towers four days after the start of the fire. Several trucks matched the type used by Edison work crews but the logos weren't visible in the images. Ornelas said she did not have information about the trucks or their work.
Matt Logelin, whose backyard overlooks the Eaton Canyon area, was making dinner for his children when he heard the sound. At first, he thought it might be a tree branch that snapped in the strong wind. Logelin's house and others on his street survived but he has no idea when he'll be able to move back in.
WILDFIRES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON LAWSUIT EVIDENCE INVESTIGATION
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