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Power company in legal trouble for deadly wildfire in Los Angeles, USA

US authorities file substantial lawsuits against a significant energy firm, accusing them of wildfires in Southern California, notably one of the devastating blazes that swept through Los Angeles...

Power company facing legal action over fatal Los Angeles wildfire by federal authorities
Power company facing legal action over fatal Los Angeles wildfire by federal authorities

In the wake of the devastating Eaton Fire that swept through greater Los Angeles in January, Southern California Edison (SCE) is facing criminal charges and multiple lawsuits. The fire, along with another blaze, claimed at least 31 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and left thousands more homeless.

The Department of Justice has accused SCE of being responsible for the Eaton Fire. Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated that the lawsuits filed allege a pattern of negligence by SCE. The judicial authority announced that SCE faces possible criminal charges and significant fines related to the Eaton fires.

The Eaton Fire, which resulted in the deaths of 19 people, was believed to be caused by an SCE powerline. Videos and witness accounts suggest that equipment from SCE produced sparks that could have triggered the fire. SCE has admitted to detecting a fault on one of its transmission lines around the time of the Eaton Fire. In a July filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, SCE reported it was "not aware of evidence pointing to another possible source of ignition" for the Eaton Fire.

A second lawsuit filed alleges that sagging SCE power lines ignited the Fairview Fire in San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, in September 2022. The Fairview Fire killed two people, charred 14,000 acres (5,600 hectares), and destroyed dozens of buildings.

Essayli hopes that the lawsuits will lead to a culture change at SCE, making it a more responsible company. He stated that a majority of the fires in California are started by utility companies that do not maintain the areas and infrastructure around their transmission lines.

In response, a spokesperson for SCE stated that the company would review the lawsuits and "respond through the appropriate legal channels." The company has also announced it would begin paying compensation to victims of the Eaton Fire before the official investigation concludes.

The Justice Department is seeking $40 million from SCE for the Eaton Fire, relating solely to costs to the federal government. As the legal proceedings continue, the public awaits answers and accountability from Southern California Edison.

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