California, Jan 15, (V7N) - In a significant legal development, Evangeline Iglesias, a Southern California resident, has filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison (SCE), accusing the utility company of negligence in failing to shut down its power equipment despite severe weather warnings. The lawsuit alleges that this oversight directly led to the outbreak of the Eaton wildfire, which destroyed her Altadena home.
 
The Eaton Fire, which erupted east of downtown Los Angeles, is one of the most destructive wildfires still raging in Southern California. Over 14,000 acres have been consumed by the flames, and nearly 2,000 structures, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed. The fire, which remains under investigation by CalFire, is believed to have been exacerbated by dry vegetation, high winds, and low humidity—conditions that fueled the rapid spread of the flames. Authorities have confirmed that at least 24 people have lost their lives in the fires, and thousands of others have been forced to evacuate their homes.
 
Iglesias, whose home was located in the heart of the affected area in Altadena, has filed her lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that SCE was responsible for sparking the inferno. According to her legal team, the utility failed to heed urgent warnings about the fire danger posed by the weather conditions, including high wind gusts and dry air. Despite these warnings, the utility did not deactivate its power equipment, which, according to the lawsuit, contributed to the ignition of the fire.
 
The lawsuit includes eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence that suggest the fire originated near the base of a transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison. The photo, taken just minutes after the fire began, shows flames engulfing the base of the tower, adding weight to Iglesias' claims. Witnesses also reported seeing flames start under the power lines, pointing to the utility's equipment as a likely cause.
 
“Iglesias’ legal team argues that Southern California Edison was aware of the impending risks,” said Ali Moghaddas, Iglesias' attorney from the Edelson law firm. “They knew of the severe weather conditions and had tools available to mitigate the risk of wildfires, but they chose not to act. Their failure to shut off equipment has now cost many people their homes and, tragically, lives.”
 
Southern California Edison, which serves approximately 5 million customers, has not yet responded directly to the lawsuit as it has not been officially served. However, the company issued a statement expressing its commitment to safety and its ongoing efforts to address the wildfire crisis. The company’s spokesperson, Jeff Monford, defended SCE’s safety practices, saying that the utility has a dedicated team of meteorologists and fire scientists who monitor weather conditions and decide when to shut off power to avoid potential fires.
 
“While we cannot comment on the specifics of the lawsuit at this time, we want to assure the public that we take fire prevention very seriously,” Monford said. “Our hearts remain with the communities affected by these devastating fires, and we are committed to supporting those who have been impacted.”
 
SCE has also made available a map showing areas affected by power outages, with nearly 60,000 customers without power due to wildfire risks as of the evening of January 14. The company is considering further shutoffs for around 500,000 customers in high-risk areas. The utility’s website offers resources for those affected, including information on emergency shelter and tips for preparing for power outages.
 
The legal action taken by Iglesias is one of the first in what is expected to be a wave of lawsuits targeting utility companies for their alleged role in the fires. Fire agencies are already investigating links between SCE equipment and the Hurst Fire, a smaller but still significant wildfire that is still burning in the region.
 
The ongoing wildfires have left many Southern Californians questioning the role of utility companies in wildfire prevention. With more legal actions expected, the spotlight remains on Southern California Edison and other utilities in the region as they face growing scrutiny over their involvement in these devastating fires.
 
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