- Out-of-service Southern California Edison equipment sparked the deadly Eaton fire that killed 19 people and destroyed much of Altadena in January 2025, according to a long-awaited state and county investigation.
- The investigation concluded that electrical arcing events on the out-of-service Southern Edison tower caused burning material to fall onto dry brush, igniting the fire.
- Los Angeles county fire officials found that the fire was caused by a tower that was not in service, and it took firefighters nearly a month to extinguish the blaze.
- The report details that two electrical arcing events occurred in quick succession, leading to the ignition of dry grass and brush within 12 seconds.
- The Eaton fire burned more than 14,000 acres and destroyed over 9,400 buildings, making it one of the most destructive natural disasters in Los Angeles County history.
- Rep. Judy Chu called the findings an important step toward accountability and justice for the survivors and their families.
- Southern California Edison has acknowledged its potential role in the fire and is currently reviewing the investigation report.
A long-awaited investigation has confirmed that the Eaton fire, which devastated Altadena in January 2025, was ignited by electrical arcing from an out-of-service Southern California Edison (SCE) tower. The fire resulted in 19 fatalities and the destruction of over 9,000 homes and businesses.7
The report, released by Los Angeles County fire officials, states that two electrical arcing events occurred in quick succession, causing burning material to fall onto dry brush below. Within 12 seconds, the fire rapidly escalated, fueled by extreme weather conditions including high temperatures and strong winds. The investigation, conducted by the L.A. County Fire Department's arson unit and Cal Fire, took 18 months and involved extensive review of evidence.234
According to the report, the utility company failed to maintain its equipment properly, which contributed to the fire's ignition. “The cause of the wildfire conflagration was due to the electrical arcing events that took place on the out-of-service Southern California Edison tower,” officials stated. The fire ultimately scorched 22 square miles (57 sq km) and took nearly a month to extinguish.
Rep. Judy Chu emphasized the importance of the findings, calling it a step toward accountability for the victims. “SoCal Edison needs to now take every step necessary to help Altadena and Pasadena rebuild,” she said. The report also cites multiple violations of state codes related to SCE, although specific details remain redacted due to ongoing investigations.6
As the community continues to recover, SCE has acknowledged its potential role in the fire's ignition and is reviewing the report's findings.
“The report says two electrical arcing events on an out-of-service SCE tower sent burning material into dry brush, igniting it within 12 seconds amid extreme Santa Ana winds. It also lists eight state code violations tied to SoCal Edison, though details remain redacted pending the L.A. County District Attorney's review.”
The Guardian
