Initially claiming there was no evidence its equipment was at fault, Southern California Edison is now investigating one of its “zombie” power lines as the possible origin of the deadly Eaton Fire.
According to SCE spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy, a “zombie” power line is a power line that is no longer energized.
However, surveillance footage from an Arco gas station recorded on the night of Jan. 7 captured what appears to be electrical arcs and sparks starting from the power line in question.
The video, released by Edelson PC Law Firm, then shows those sparks fall onto the nearby brushy Altadena hillside, where lawyers said the fire may have started.
Investigators told KTLA’s Sandra Mitchell that they believe this “zombie” line might have become re-energized.
SoCal Edison and law firms representing the fire victims revealed that they are beginning a new phase of gathering evidence and inspecting SCE equipment in the area where the fire started.
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Surveillance images captured on Jan. 7, 2025, at an Arco gas station less than a mile from where the Eaton Fire is believed to have ignited. (Edelson PC) -
Surveillance images captured on Jan. 7, 2025, at an Arco gas station less than a mile from where the Eaton Fire is believed to have ignited. (Edelson PC) -
Surveillance images captured on Jan. 7, 2025, at an Arco gas station less than a mile from where the Eaton Fire is believed to have ignited. (Edelson PC) -
Surveillance images captured on Jan. 7, 2025, at an Arco gas station less than a mile from where the Eaton Fire is believed to have ignited. (Edelson PC)
“It’s emotional for me,” said fire victim Jeremy Gursey after watching the surveillance footage. “It’s like being the victim of a crime and returning to the crime scene when you see that.”
Gursey is one of many now involved in lawsuits against the company, including one filed by Los Angeles County. The Eaton Fire killed 17 people, burned 14,000 acres and destroyed or damaged over 10,000 structures.
In the days after the fire started, the utility claimed there were no “electrical or operational abnormalities” coming from its equipment in the area.
“There’s no doubt that SCE is responsible,” said Gursey. “They’re the ones at fault, it’s been shown.”
Dunleavy said her SCE team started their new phase of the investigation on Monday.
“We’re using drones to capture some high quality photos of towers in Eaton Canyon as well as climbing them and doing lab and engineering analysis,” explained Dunleavy.
There is no timeline for when the investigation will be completed.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
