Attorneys representing a woman whose home was lost in the devastating Eaton Fire near Los Angeles claim that crews from Southern California Edison, who were attempting to repair power lines, may have inadvertently destroyed critical evidence related to the fire’s origin.
The Eaton Fire has tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 16 individuals and led to the destruction of over 7,000 structures in the Altadena area. Residents noted seeing flames originating beneath the utility’s electrical towers shortly after the fire broke out, with one eyewitness reporting a loud popping noise at the onset of the blaze. In light of these events, lawyers for Evangeline Iglesias, an Altadena local, have filed a request for a judge to mandate the preservation of evidence in the area due to fears that Edison is removing equipment that could provide insight into the fire’s cause.
According to Iglesias’ attorneys, Southern California Edison’s legal representatives indicated the utility intended to dispose of “damaged distribution and related equipment in Altadena” unless specific items deemed necessary for preservation were identified by the plaintiff’s lawyers. “Our attorneys have been contacted by nearly 1,000 residents seeking similar evidence for their recovery efforts,” they noted.
Gabriela Ornelas, a spokesperson for Edison, refrained from commenting on ongoing lawsuits or the reported noise associated with the fire’s ignition, as the investigation is still in progress. “We stand with our communities during these painful times and are committed to providing support,” she remarked.
Two days after the Eaton Fire erupted, Edison submitted a report to the California Public Utilities Commission claiming there was no evidence indicating that its equipment was responsible for igniting the blaze. “Preliminary analysis of the electrical circuit data over the 12 hours leading up to the reported fire did not show any interruptions or anomalies until over an hour after the fire began,” Edison stated. This assertion was reiterated in a subsequent letter from Edison’s attorneys addressing the request for evidence preservation.
Aerial photographs taken four days after the fire show eight work trucks near the area of the Eaton Valley electrical towers. Some of these trucks appeared similar to those used by Edison workers, yet their logos were not visible in the images. Ornelas mentioned she lacked information regarding these vehicles and what they were doing at the scene.
In response to the evidence preservation request, Edison’s legal representatives emphasized the necessity of initiating reconstruction work in Altadena to ensure public safety and remove damaged infrastructure. They asked the plaintiff’s attorneys to notify them immediately if they possessed any pertinent information indicating that Edison’s distribution equipment was relevant to the Eaton Fire.
A local resident who witnessed the fire’s initiation recounted hearing a loud noise as flames erupted near the electrical towers shortly before the fire escalated into one of the state’s most catastrophic wildfires. Matt Logelin was preparing dinner when he heard the sound, initially suspecting it was a tree branch breaking due to strong winds. Upon looking outside, he spotted a small fire on the hill and quickly documented what he saw. Just minutes later, he noticed the sky was glowing orange as flames rapidly spread.
Logelin promptly called emergency services to report the fire and warned his neighbors. He captured another image that showed the rapidly expanding flames mere minutes later. Although his home and some on his street were spared, he remains uncertain about when he will be able to return. “It’s a miracle,” he expressed. “As I rushed out, embers were flying everywhere, and I truly thought my house was lost.”
Meanwhile, investigators from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are leading the inquiry into the cause of the Palisades Fire, which began before the Eaton Fire and resulted in at least eight fatalities and extensive destruction. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley informed the community at a recent town hall meeting that the Palisades Fire might be related to a grass fire from New Year’s Day that rekindled due to intense winds.
Jose Medina, the ATF’s acting agent in charge in Los Angeles, conveyed the community’s desire for answers. “We understand everyone is seeking clarity, and the community deserves it,” Medina stated. “The ATF will provide those answers once our thorough investigation is completed.”
