Court Orders Edison to Preserve Eaton Fire Evidence

Judge Rules as Death Toll Reaches 17 in Southern California Disaster

The Los Angeles Superior Court ordered Southern California Edison to preserve all equipment and data related to the devastating Eaton fire on Tuesday, following multiple lawsuits from affected homeowners. Judge Ashfaq G. Chowdhury’s ruling requires the utility company to protect evidence from the fire’s suspected origin point at an electrical tower in Eaton Canyon. The blaze, which began January 7, has claimed 17 lives and destroyed over 9,000 structures across Altadena and surrounding areas. Edison maintains the equipment shows no irregularities near the ignition site.

5 Key Points

• LA Superior Court mandated Edison preserve evidence after homeowners filed 20 lawsuits against the utility company.
• Fire investigators focused on an Edison electrical tower where residents recorded video of initial flames.
• The blaze destroyed 9,416 structures and burned over 14,000 acres since January 7.
• Edison claims data shows no anomalies near the suspected fire origin point.
• The company received access to the alleged origin site on January 16, accompanied by attorneys and investigators.

Legal Battle Emerges Over Evidence Preservation

The temporary restraining order came after attorneys for an Altadena homeowner expressed concerns about potential evidence destruction. Edelson PC, representing the plaintiff, argued that immediate court intervention would prevent Edison from destroying equipment and data linked to the fire’s origin. Edison opposed the order, stating they had already preserved evidence from a 1-square-mile area in eastern Altadena near the suspected ignition point. The company documented repair work through videos and photographs, maintaining this preservation exceeded their obligations. “We stated we would be transparent in this investigation; we have been transparent, and we will continue being transparent,” Edison spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy said.

Investigation Focuses on Electrical Tower

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection investigators concentrated their probe on a hillside in Eaton Canyon, explicitly examining the base of an Edison electrical tower. Residents captured video footage showing the first flames of the destructive fire at this location on January 7. Edison received their first access to the suspected origin site on January 16, accompanied by plaintiff attorneys and their investigators. The judge’s order now requires Edison to work with the plaintiffs’ attorneys to determine exact boundaries for evidence preservation.

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Edison Faces Multiple Legal Challenges

At least 20 lawsuits target Southern California Edison over the Eaton fire, with plaintiffs alleging the company’s equipment sparked the devastating blaze. Attorney Ali Moghaddas from Edelson PC raised concerns about utility companies’ past conduct, stating, “Utility companies have a troubling history of exploiting the chaos during and after major fires to destroy or tamper with critical evidence.” Edison contested this characterization in court filings, arguing they maintained proper documentation of all repair and replacement work. The company must now provide attorneys with data about the electrical towers under the judge’s order.

Fire Impact Continues to Grow

The Eaton fire destroyed more than 14,000 acres and 9,416 structures and confirmed 17 fatalities. Fire officials have not released an official cause for the blaze. Edison stated that its data shows no anomalies near the suspected start of the fire, which contrasts with eyewitness accounts and video evidence that placed the fire’s origin at the base of its electrical tower. The company’s court filings indicate the County expressed no interest in Edison’s distribution facilities outside the preservation zone in Altadena.