On Thursday, Southern California Edison (SCE) moved a second transmission tower in La Cañada Flintridge as part of the ongoing investigation into the Eaton Fire, one of California’s most destructive disasters. The tower was dismantled into three pieces and relocated by a sky crane helicopter to a staging area, where it will be further disassembled and taken to a warehouse for testing.
The investigation centers on two towers, including the one moved on Thursday and another known as M16T1, or Tower 208, which was removed the previous day. According to David Eisenhauer, spokesperson for SCE, the tower moved on Thursday sustained damage when it came into contact with power lines, although the lines were not energized at the time. No injuries were reported.
The investigation aims to determine if the towers played a role in sparking the Eaton Fire on January 7. Video footage captured initial flames beneath the structures, and SCE has reported unusual electrical activity on its equipment around the time the fire started. A rare phenomenon called induction, which can reenergize idle lines, is a leading theory for the fire’s ignition, as noted by Edison International Chief Executive Pedro Pizarro.
Both towers are being examined in a warehouse in Irwindale, where they will undergo detailed testing by Los Angeles County Fire investigators, SCE officials, and experts hired by plaintiffs suing the utility company. The investigation is ongoing, and the findings could have significant implications for SCE and future fire prevention measures.
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