The Pasadena Unified School District has filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison (SCE) and its parent company, Edison International, seeking compensation for damages from the Eaton Fire. The lawsuit, filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accuses the Rosemead-based utility of negligence and other causes of action that led to the fire, which occurred on January 7.
The Eaton Fire was devastating, burning over 14,000 acres and destroying or damaging more than 10,000 structures. Tragically, 17 people lost their lives in the blaze. Several schools within the Pasadena Unified School District were among the structures damaged or destroyed, prompting the district to take legal action. The district, already struggling with a $37-million budget deficit before the fire, is seeking compensation for both direct fire damage and the subsequent costs of managing post-fire hazards, emergency response, and infrastructure restoration.
According to The Center Square, the district’s complaint includes claims for inverse condemnation, negligence, trespass, nuisance, premises liability, and violations of Public Utilities and Health and Safety codes. The lawsuit also references photographic evidence of the fire’s origin point and SCE’s regulatory filings that acknowledge electrical system anomalies coinciding with the fire’s ignition time and location. SCE recently announced they were investigating a “zombie” power line as the possible origin of the fire.
In response to the lawsuit, an Edison spokesperson stated, “We are reviewing this lawsuit and will respond through the legal process.” The Eaton Fire has also led to lawsuits from the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre, as well as Los Angeles County.
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