SoCal Edison sued in connection with Mountain Fire
As the investigation into the Mountain Fire’s origins continues, a class action lawsuit was filed Nov. 8 alleging that the Ventura County blaze was started by Southern California Edison’s equipment.
The utility giant denies the allegations.
The Ventura County Superior Court suit, alleging negligence and inverse condemnation, was filed by Pamela and Kenneth McWaid and seeks general damages and more.
It’s the first suit naming Edison in connection with the Mountain Fire.
During strong Santa Ana winds on Nov. 6, “equipment owned, operated and/or maintained by defendant Southern California Edison failed in such a matter as to result in the wildfire,” the suit alleges.
Edison spokesperson David Eisenhauer told the Business Times Nov. 13 that the utility is reviewing the lawsuit.
“To date, no fire agency has suggested that SCE’s electric facilities were involved in the ignition or requested the removal and retention of any SCE equipment,” the power company said in a filing with the California Public Utilities Commission in response to the lawsuit.
The Mountain Fire erupted in the unincorporated Somis area northeast of Camarillo.
Fueled by the fierce winds, the fire jumped Highway 118 into the upscale Camarillo Heights area, engulfing homes.
As of last count, 220 structures, most of them residences, many in unincorporated areas, had been destroyed by the flames, according to fire officials.
One hundred fifty-four structures have been damaged in the blaze which consumed 20,630 acres, the officials said.
As of Nov. 13, the fire was 60% contained.
Five civilians and one firefighter have been injured.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.
Edison is no stranger to being sued in connection with Central Coast wildfires.
The power company in 2017 agreed to pay $80 million to settle claims that its utility equipment sparked the massive Thomas Fire that year in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Edison in 2019 agreed to pay $210 million to settle claims that its equipment sparked the huge Woosley Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in 2018.
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