Report ties 2025 Eaton fire to Edison tower; 19 died
What's new: Investigators said electrical arcing from an out-of-service tower ignited brush that spread within 12 seconds.
Los Angeles County fire investigators concluded that Southern California Edison equipment caused the 2025 Eaton fire, a blaze that killed 19 people and damaged or destroyed more than 9,000 homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area. A report released Tuesday found that electrical arcing from an out-of-service Edison transmission tower ignited dry brush below during high heat, low humidity and strong winds. The fire spread rapidly through the San Gabriel Mountains, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and La Canada Flintridge. Cal Fire and the county arson unit conducted the 18-month investigation. Edison said it is reviewing the report and had previously acknowledged its equipment was likely linked to the ignition.