Fire agencies are investigating Edison’s potential connection to the LA Hurst fire Reuters writes
(Reuters) – Fire agencies are investigating whether utility infrastructure at Southern California Edison sparked a brush fire still burning in suburban Los Angeles, SCE said on Friday, adding that no decision had yet been made.
SCE, a unit of U.S. utility Edison International (NYSE: ), said in a filing with its regulators that the downed conductor was discovered on a tower connected to its 220 kV Eagle Rock – Sylmar circuit.
“SCE does not know whether the observed damage occurred before or after the fire,” the utility said.
SCE said preliminary information indicated the circuit experienced a relay at 22:11 (06:11 GMT) where the Hurst fire was reported at around 22:10 on 7 January.
The Hurst Fire, in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley northwest of Los Angeles, has exceeded 770 acres and is now 77% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Edison International did not immediately respond to a request for comment made through the company’s website.
SCE said Thursday it had received notices from insurance companies to preserve evidence related to the Eaton (NYSE: ) fire still burning in Los Angeles, but said no fire agency has linked the utility to the blaze.
More than 10,000 structures have been destroyed in the five fires raging in the area, and nearly 30,000 hectares have burned.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss at $135 billion to $150 billion, hinting at a laborious recovery and a spike in homeowners’ insurance costs.
