Altadena, Calif. — June 2026
A newly released surveillance video is adding weight to allegations that Southern California Edison (SCE) equipment ignited the devastating Eaton Fire, one of the deadliest wildfires in recent Southern California history.
The footage, captured by cameras at the Gerrish Swim & Tennis Club in Pasadena, appears to show two bright flashes near an Edison transmission tower at approximately 6:11 p.m. on January 7, 2025 — around the time investigators believe the fire began.
Attorneys representing residents and families affected by the blaze argue that the video provides compelling evidence that a century-old, inactive transmission line owned by Edison sparked the fire. The Eaton Fire ultimately claimed 19 lives, destroyed homes, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate.
According to attorney Paul Starita of Singleton Schreiber, the footage depicts an electrical arcing event followed by sparks falling into nearby vegetation.
“It clearly shows an arcing event, and then you see the sparks, which is molten metal falling down from that electrical arcing event,” Starita said. “That ignited the brush below. It’s pretty clear their equipment started the fire.”
Legal teams pursuing claims against Edison contend that electrical faults recorded on an active transmission line more than five miles away may have caused a surge of electricity that jumped to the inactive line, triggering the apparent arcing event.
Southern California Edison has acknowledged that its equipment may have been involved but has not accepted responsibility for the fire. The utility says its own investigation remains ongoing, alongside inquiries being conducted by state and county authorities.
“We have said publicly that it’s likely our equipment was involved in the start of the fire, and we are continuing to investigate,” said SCE Communications Director Kathleen Dunleavy. “This type of evidence is crucial to understanding what occurred.”
The company also expressed frustration that the surveillance footage was reportedly not provided earlier during the discovery process, emphasizing the importance of sharing all relevant evidence with investigators.
The release of the video comes as scrutiny of Edison intensifies. Reports indicate that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is examining whether criminal charges could be warranted depending on the findings of ongoing investigations.
The Eaton Fire remains one of the most destructive and tragic disasters to strike the region in recent years. For survivors and families who lost loved ones, determining the cause of the fire is a critical step toward accountability and recovery.
As investigations continue, the newly surfaced video is expected to play a significant role in legal proceedings and efforts to determine whether utility infrastructure was responsible for igniting the deadly blaze.
