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Attorneys Demand Southern California Edison Preserve Evidence in Eaton Fire That Killed 16 and Destroyed 7,000 Structures

Jan 18, 2025, 02:52 AM

Attorneys representing Altadena resident Evangeline Iglesias, who lost her home in the Eaton Fire, which devastated the Los Angeles area, have filed an emergency request for Southern California Edison to preserve additional electrical equipment. The request comes amid concerns that the utility company may have destroyed evidence crucial to determining the cause of the fire, which has resulted in at least 16 deaths and the destruction of over 7,000 structures in Altadena. Video and photographic evidence captured by residents show flames beneath Edison's electrical towers in the Eaton Canyon area shortly after the fire began, with one resident reporting hearing a loud pop at the outset. The attorneys are seeking a court order to ensure the preservation of this evidence, as they believe it is essential for the recovery efforts of nearly 1,000 affected residents. Southern California Edison has not confirmed any involvement of its equipment in the fire's ignition, and a spokesperson, Gabriela Ornelas, declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuits or the reported sound at the fire's start, citing the ongoing investigation.