The fire that leveled much of Altadena, California, last year was ignited by a spark from an idle transmission tower belonging to Southern California Edison, according to a long-awaited report released on Tuesday.
The report confirmed long-held suspicions that electrical discharges from out-of-service utility towers on the night of Jan. 7, 2025, ignited dry vegetation below. The blaze then spread from Eaton Canyon to Altadena, killing 19 people and destroying over 9,000 buildings.
“I recognize that no report or investigation into the Eaton Fire can ease the deep pain and tragedy our residents have endured,” Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said in a news release.
Scott Johnson, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, told The Washington Post the company is reviewing the report. “We’ve taken our potential role in the start of the fire seriously from the beginning,” he said.
The utility company is facing multiple lawsuits while offering fire victims an opt-in payout program. It said Los Angeles County and other agencies share responsibility for the fire’s destruction, in part because of delayed evacuation notifications in west Altadena.
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