Los Angeles County is suing Southern California Edison for allegedly causing the deadly Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena earlier this year.
The suit, filed Wednesday, “alleges that SCE’s equipment caused the deadly blaze, requiring the County to incur massive costs responding to the fire and its aftermath,” the Office of the County Counsel said in a news release.
The Eaton Fire, which destroyed county parks and other public infrastructure, was “started directly under SCE transmission lines in Eaton Canyon,” the release said.
The 14,000-acre Eaton Fire killed 17 people, injured firefighters and others, and destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 structures.
While the total cost of the destruction hasn’t yet been finalized, “it is estimated that they will total at least hundreds of millions of dollars,” the release said.
County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison said the county is suing for compensation for destroyed infrastructure, recreational areas, parks, road damage, cleanup and recovery efforts, flood and mudslide prevention, workers compensation claims, overtime for workers, lost taxes and more.
“We are committed to seeking justice for the Altadena community and the taxpayers of Los Angeles County,” she said.
Edison did not immediately return a request for comment.
