LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The destructive Eaton Fire that killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Altadena, California in January 2025 was caused by electrical arcing on an out-of-service Southern California Edison (SCE) equipment, authorities said Tuesday.
"After 18 months of thorough review of all evidence, alongside retained electrical and metallurgical experts, the investigation concluded that the cause of the wildfire conflagration was due to the electrical arcing events that took place on the out-of-service Southern California Edison tower," fire officials wrote in a press release.
A report, released by the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, noted that "video evidence collected by the Eaton Fire Investigation Team revealed two electrical arcing events that occurred in quick succession, leading to an unknown burning material falling from the SCE tower's location into the dry receptive fuel bed below."
"I recognize that no report or investigation into the Eaton Fire can ease the deep pain and tragedy our residents have endured," said Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone in the press release.
"While the cause has been determined, our focus remains on assisting our residents to rebuild their homes and livelihoods, and ensuring lessons learned drive meaningful and impactful change in memory of the 19 lives lost," he added.
SCE, the main utility in Southern California, is under mounting legal pressure over allegations that its negligence sparked the deadly Eaton Fire.
The company has been reportedly named in hundreds of lawsuits filed by homeowners, businesses, insurers and government entities seeking compensation for wildfire-related losses.
