• Southern California Edison reported an increase in electrical current in its power lines around the time the Eaton fire began.
• A new video allegedly shows arcing on these lines moments before the fire ignited, intensifying scrutiny on the utility.
• Despite ongoing investigations, Edison maintains no evidence links its equipment to the fire's origin.
• The blaze, which started on January 7, has caused at least 17 fatalities and destroyed over 9,000 structures.
• A court ruling mandates Edison preserve evidence related to the fire as lawsuits mount against the utility.

The investigation into the devastating Eaton fire near Los Angeles has intensified following the revelation that Southern California Edison (SCE) experienced a "momentary and expected increase in current" on its transmission lines at the same time the fire is believed to have ignited on January 7. According to a recent filing with the California Public Utilities Commission, the current surge occurred at approximately 6:11 p.m., just minutes before the first reports of the blaze at 6:18 p.m. Despite this crucial timeline, Edison has insisted that their equipment did not trigger the fire and that the operational limits of their systems were not exceeded, as reported by Los Angeles Times.

The fire has burned over 14,000 acres, leading to 17 deaths and destroying close to 10,000 structures. Investigations are ongoing, and while fire officials have not officially blamed SCE for the catastrophe, the utility is facing multiple lawsuits from residents claiming that its equipment caused the fire. Attorneys representing a homeowner whose property was destroyed have presented video evidence showing sparks and arcing from SCE’s equipment just before the fire spread, indicating a possible link to the utility’s infrastructure. This footage, initially shared by Edelson PC, sheds new light on potential ignition sources.

In light of these developments, a Los Angeles County judge has ordered Southern California Edison to preserve all relevant evidence in the area affected by the fire, further escalating concerns regarding the utility's handling of potential evidence. Despite preliminary findings suggesting that their equipment may very well be involved, Edison officials argue that investigations have yet to determine if their infrastructure was at fault. "As of today, there is no evidence that SCE’s equipment caused the blaze," stated a spokesperson, highlighting the complexity of the ongoing investigation and the necessity for meticulous analysis of incoming evidence.

As the situation unfolds, Edison's commitment to transparency has been called into question, particularly with accusations from legal representatives claiming that the utility may have destroyed evidence critical to determining the cause of the Eaton fire. The tension between affected residents and the utility rises as the fires become a symbol of accountability in the face of California's devastating wildfire season.Source Source Source.