Attorneys representing insurance companies are seeking a court ruling that would hold Southern California Edison financially responsible for the deadly Eaton Fire. They argue that newly uncovered evidence strengthens the case that the January 2025 wildfire, which claimed 19 lives, was sparked by a century-old, inactive transmission line owned and maintained by the utility.
Among the new evidence is surveillance footage from a Pasadena swim club that appears to show two flashes moments before the fire began. According to the attorneys, the flashes align precisely with two electrical faults recorded by Edison on its transmission system just three seconds apart immediately before the fire’s ignition. They contend that the timing provides strong support for the claim that the utility’s equipment caused the blaze.
Southern California Edison has not accepted responsibility for the fire. The company maintains that its own investigation remains ongoing and notes that separate investigations by state and county officials are also still underway.
