Video shows possible start of Eaton Fire

A law firm suing Southern California Edison has released security video, which was turned over to a judge today, of what they say could be the origin of the deadly Eaton Fire.
Rachel Menitoff reports on Jan. 27 2025.
Details: ktla.com
KTLA 5 News - Keeping Southern Californians informed since 1947.

[@richard-cf8ce]

She doesn't look like she believes her own story

[@TheFishSandwichShow]

Yeah I was just thinking that she would make a horrible poker player

[@ejicon3099]

Ha!!!

[@lindadeeds5326]

They don’t know what started it until they do an investigation. It is pointless to blame anyone until the investigation is complete.

[@ArcticAirUltraPro]

The video shows clear as day

[@morgiou5260]

Investigation😂😂 They can tell you what they want You still believe them

[@random269]

Welcome to America, speculating is mainstream media's bread and butter. Remember CNN.

[@KittyWonton]

All lines should be underground!

[@noahshields507]

That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard 😂

[@KittyWonton]

@ Dirt doesn’t burn!

[@VegaH_]

A little Water and everyone gets it

[@johnmcintyre1965]

It would be way too expensive to do that.

[@Derkaramma]

@@johnmcintyre1965I mean SCE charges us some of the highest rates in the country but still use decades old equipment. Make it make sense.

[@jimbranscomb4350]

How is this even in question, Edison hasn't upgraded any of its infrastructure, and of course Edison "doesn't believe" it's their equipment

[@metal--babble346]

6 years ago, broken power lines during a wind storm in Otis Oregon caught the forest on fire. Many homes were destroyed.

[@matw1x]

Video doesn't seem to prove anything 😂

[@mobileplayers5008]

Yeah too much faulty on this vids

[@Davethaman88]

That fire looks nowhere near the lines. Looks further back.

[@YTPartyTonight]

Further back than what? I'm very familiar with that canyon and that SCE transmission line. There's a series of transmission towers of towers, including more towers up and further back from that vantage point, that support the power lines as they come down the mountain and along side the canyon. There have also been other video and still images besides this reported in the local news a couple weeks ago that more clearly show fire at one of the SCE transmission towers. TBD.

[@TheHardys01]

You realize SoCal Edison is most definitely paying for bots to leave comments just like yurs.... Righhtt?..

[@Davethaman88]

@@YTPartyTonight yeah. This video you can’t see the lines in the back

[@matthewrobert2888]

​@@TheHardys01😂your high

[@ANG1940]

@@TheHardys01what a clown lol

[@pinoyuc]

I have power lines & palm trees outside my balcony. Palms sometimes make contact causing sparks.(aka surge resistors) Imaging debris flying in the sky and making contact can cause to spark to cause fire.

[@laurat1129]

Years ago outside my apartment building in West Hollywood, a crow flew off a power line. Not sure if the crow caused it or took off because of it, but the power line snapped and fell to the ground. It ignited the roof of a garage and lit up a couple of palmtrees, otherwise known as "nature's tiki torches". If the fire station weren't just down the street, if several of us hadn't been home to see it and call 911, and if my neighbor hadn't been home to calmly spray the garden hose, their house and our nearby buildings would've burned in no time.

[@johnmcintyre1965]

The palm fronds making contact with the bare conductors producing sparks is called "arcing".

[@Zaaxun]

It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure that out. Power line sparks, 5 minutes later the whole area underneath erupts in flames. What's the friggin mystery.

[@lindadeeds5326]

There was also a homeless camp right there with a fire pit. It’s not obvious where the fire came from yet.

[@curtiscruz8071]

​@lindadeeds5326 I'll just wait for the Arson Team to come out with their report. Having heard Edison state that their own investigations state a homeless encampment was there is 💩.

[@TheHardys01]

​@@lindadeeds5326How much yuh paid to push the anti homeless narrative? Pretty sure all the folks who lost their homes are now considered homeless as well.

[@ashman0071]

@@lindadeeds5326 Nope - there was not a homeless camp up in those hills.

[@ArcticAirUltraPro]

Exactly, I hate how paranoid people are truly brain rotted to not trust anything but space lasers as the most logical reasoning

[@criticaltheories5222]

So Cal Edison: "We investigated ourselves and found ourselves to be innocent."

[@unkulwilly]

sounds familiar

[@curtiscruz8071]

Ha! Billion dollar companies going to always find a way.

[@nannerz1994]

So the problem here is that you sue the company as if it's a human and then people running the company have no consequences

[@derred723]

Well no. Assuming it's true the consequence people suffer is they'll lose their employment. If they are found to have some criminal intent they will be punished and go to jail. Same way Enron guys went to jail for fraud. But If you're talking about punishing a corporation for a general failure and not punishing people that is literally how all corporations are designed. That's how businesses work. The employees are just doing their job so short of criminality they aren't liable and shouldn't be ruined financially. Plus the corporation is the deep pockets.

[@wellthatgotweird]

I figure if it does turn out that Edison had a hand in it they will just do like PG&E. File bankruptcy, so they don't have to pay out & omit pay packages to employees

[@ashman0071]

SCE paid out $2 Billion lately for two separate fires that were their fault in the last 7 years. PG&E paid out even more for the Paradise Fire (Camp Fire, yeh right).

[@sundager8735]

Uh-oh they’re looking for a scapegoat after all they can’t take responsibility for their own incompetence

[@subhobroto]

The power that sce has stems from the CPUC which are unelected positions often chosen by the Governor. So no, there's no scapegoat here. All paths lead to the truth and everyone in California knows what it is. The problem is many don't want to believe the truth but the truth always has a way of coming out

[@Nala_1230]

all it takes is the lines to spark and the wind will do the rest

[@curtiscruz8071]

And that's what simply happened. Up to 80mph winds for the entire night until dawn.

[@joerudnik9290]

Are they sure it wasn’t arson by rocket launch?? Robbie and Gary of KZbin, found a launch near their house on camera footage. Authorities were called and said it was likely, arson. ( Their channel is about gardening in Southern California.)

[@juneyshu6197]

saw that

[@coliniscolingaming]

use ur eyes first, then use ur brain.

[@NEnigma777]

Who the hell are Robbie and Gary? Just looked them up and can’t find anything on them on KZbin

[@joeycampbell940]

By the end of the week they'll be blaming Trump.

[@Mrgoodtimelove]

Trump pretty much played the blame game already. And his loyal followers love him for it. Just wondering what your point is btw.

[@wellthatgotweird]

@@joeycampbell940 hey why not. dump is a dumpster fire anyway

[@joeycampbell940]

@@Mrgoodtimelove explain?

[@joeycampbell940]

@@wellthatgotweird how so

[@justrosy5]

In other words, "We didn't have good enough standards for ourselves, therefor, we can't be at fault." Gimme a break...

[@keiths.7274]

What a typical corporate wordsmithing statement. She said that there were no faults on the transmission lines, but the video of the potential and probable point of ignition is on the distribution line set. Two completely different types of electrical networks

[@Arlo360-Official]

The orientation of the fire is most likely human. Too many crazies out there and these "lawyers" are just looking for publicity. Honestly, who attaches a giant billboard to the front of their podium? We used to call these people ambulance chasers.

[@nicksalgado22]

If you look up the past big fires over the years. You will see the cause being a utility company. PGE was the cause for the ones in NO CAL.

[@loislewis5229]

Was is SCE lines or Pasadena Water and Power lines that caused the fire?

[@CharlinaJohnson]

Here's what really makes me angry with LA County fire, LA County Forestry and Lincoln Water district. When I arrived at home in the West side of Altadena, my entire neighborhood was already evacuated except for one other neighbor. I was ready to live or died fighting this fire. There was a house in back of my house that was fully on fire. I grab my water hose and walk up to my back yard fence to Feight the fire that was getting close to my area of the fence. Turn on the hose to find out I had very little water pressure. Of what I had I had to work with it. I managed to control the fire progression down to my side of the fence. But on the other side of my neighbor's property, the fire progress to another house (Ventura side). When the fire progress to the next-door house I decided to make a stand and jump their fence to use their water hose to save their house (Ventura side). Turn on their hose and to find out they had absolutely no water pressure. What the hell is going on. There is a huge water storage tank on Harriet near Glen Ave. and a pumping station on olive (this building was not effective by the fire). We always had major windstorms where we lost power for 7 days and still, we had water pressure. With low water pressure I lost the battle. I lost over $500,000 dollars in vintage television video equipment. Color vacuum tube cameras that were use on the Ed Sullivan show. Broadcast test equipment everything from transmitters test equipment to video tape machines test equipment that could never be replaced. And for the county forestry, when I departed from my area, I saw a forestry truck (the type of truck loaded with water) parked in the middle of the street of Ventura and olive that their crew was taken photos. There was another truck parked on Glenrose just south from Ventura and they were taken photos. That time you could see everything from the corner of Ventura and Glenrose to Fair Oaks since everything was now burn down to the ground. No fire department support anywhere. Unbelievable!

[@nicksalgado22]

Easy answer. Our water system isn't set up to handle a fire like that, it's set up to stop buildings. Yes there is a water tank but more water was used then it could refill. Lastly, I remember that they have back up pumps to help with water crisis. But bc of how crazy it got and how quick it happened. The water dept couldn't get to those pumps/ no access and or even the power went out and those pumps couldn't get it out. We can have a discussion in how to avoid a something like this. But short answer, out system isn't and was never supposed to fight a huge wildfire like this.

[@noahshields507]

Buddy of course your waters pressure was down at that point most of north Altadena was already burning and that’s where most of the firefighters were pulling water too😂 it’s not rocket science or a conspiracy 😂😂

[@ckelley1234]

I am so sorry you had to go through this and now have an even bigger disaster to deal with. Thank you for sharing your experience!! I wish all Angelinos could be nicer to each other- you never know what might happen 😢

[@mr.j5092]

Why aren’t they showing satellite footage that shows 3 separate fires that started at the exact same time ??? 🤔

[@plantspeakcodes]

Where can I see that video. Thanks in advance 🙏

[@RavenCudi]

@@plantspeakcodesditto

[@debbiej10101]

Because they want to blame the power company again, so nobody sues Gavin and Karen for their on-purpose negligence and incompetence. Keep suing the power company and our power bills will get continually higher. Every time the wind blows and you're in a fire prone area you better have a generator because they will preemptively turn it off next.

[@noahshields507]

Becuase they didn’t start at the same time 😂

[@montinezhorton9950]

tHEY dID nOT sTART aT tHE sAME tIME..

[@mmor5369]

I see the fire but I don't see any sparks it usually happens with electricity. In my observations they are sparks first.

[@fernando536]

Just because you can't see it on a crappy security camera doesn't mean it didnt occur

[@FrankGallagherr]

Who else wants to see Newsom resign immediately, gone for good, recalled, never seen again, investigated, prosecuted and imprisoned?)

[@globaltripping3654]

Lol that video is totally inconclusive! Could be someone in the brush with a blowtorch!!!

[@Johnfisher12345]

Found an SCE executive!!

[@YTPartyTonight]

That's not the only video and still images besides this that have been reported in the local news the last couple weeks. They're from another vantage point and they more clearly show fire at one of the SCE transmission towers up along the canyon. The investigation will take it's course; TBD.

[@shmooveyea]

What is up with ya'll and blowtorches.

[@fernando536]

Take your meds and stay off the internet

[@LeanneSaunders-v8n]

@@shmooveyea someone was using flame to melt their driveway of ❄️

[@annahale1187]

Thank you to the KTLA reporter, who pronounced "Eaton" correctly and not like a "Valley Girl."

[@purplesprigs]

Like, totally. I'm so sure.

[@KimberlyCook-j3o]

PEOPLE CAN GET MONEY FROM EDISON BUT NOT FROM ARSONISTS. I EXPECT THIS TO BE A CALI COVER UP!

[@nicolet8800]

Ridiculous That is not what started it! Wake up!

[@marcjenkins1520]

What did then expert?

[@hOttOddYfAiLz]

@@marcjenkins1520Unless you watch CNN you must know about the arsonists?

[@juneyshu6197]

Those lines are not near brush.

[@genehasenbuhler2594]

A homeowner also has video of the same line as it started!

[@azaleablue2261]

Remind you of the Maui tail?Nobody believes this. It’s total horse crap.

[@insurrectionistorange]

Remember when Gavsy was throwing shade on that other governor for power grid problems? It was fixed by next season. His state's fix is to just shut it off. Kind of fun when he's also signing law after law to force the citizens to rely 100% on the power grid for their home appliances and transportation.

[@ejicon3099]

How does a surveillance video from a gas station prove anything. That small spark could have been some druggies lighting up in the hills.

[@walterrumohr7090]

Electrical short circuit is always normal and we’re not responsible. 😂

[@JulieTobin-Ruszczyk]

Just saw an expert explaining why it was the electrical company. Very compelling

[@meme-tg6hr]

The spokesperson said "keep your nose out of this".

[@breakinghues2751]

Southern California Edison should just shut off the power when winds exceeded 15 mph

[@joseascencio70]

I don’t see sparks ⚡️

[@tedabdulfattah2601]

I find it strange that a camera is facing the hillside instead of facing the gas pumps at the gas station. Why would a camera at a gas station face the hillside? I worked in that area for 20 years and I know exactly where that gas station is located.

[@savagecatzzz]

Ask the manager then

[@scottsasser7749]

Yeah, but when the fires were happening, they showed a video of a couple that lived probably a mile away from that power line and they video taped. It hasn't happened so where's that video at that? That proves that that power line started a fire.

[@duanelinstrom4292]

Fire flies in a jar. That’s a possible light source.

[@campshedmerch8237]

That was a lie she rubbed her nose when she said they found no fault from the power company

[@jaxstudios7670]

It’s at the base of a power pole. There is a MUCH better video out there from the house next door to the spark.

[@jackinbox3382]

Yes

[@ellapines2850]

Edison can afford good attorneys

[@MelissaMartinez-wi8li]

I blame Diddy

[@sharonabbott6721]

This is how you lie for the company you represent

[@stuffthings9618]

isn't it more the winds' fault than Edisons??? Last, I checked they weren't air benders lol. I just feel like this is a nothing burger lawsuit. Its like the people who blamed the twin tower collapse on the architects.

[@andrewrolando7345]

The explosion definitely started that fire😢

[@jasonr2528]

i did a put option on eix stock and made 40k so far

[@sailingwiththegods538]

I blame the bone dry tinder.

[@rosemauves]

It was the traitor Gov!!! 🙄

[@Juanhvs]

Those don't look like sparks to me specially when none is falling down? That looks like someone trying several times to start a fire that keeps turning off because of the windy day, you can see his siluette when that fire goes big, one more thing why isn't the fire starting at the base of the pole it looks that fire is approximately 250 feet away from the pole Come On Man?

[@ashman0071]

Many 'interesting' commenters in the mix - Paradise Fire, Atlas Fire, Tubbs Fire, Lahaina Fire, Nuns Fire , Woosley Fire, Dixie Fire, Laguna Fire, Redwood Complex Fires, Witch Creek Fire, Zogg Fire, Kincaide fire, Thomas Fire - unlikely they own a home.

[@common12]

What’s with the anchor’s Herman Munster hair?

[@TravisBicknel]

These powerlines were replaced in 2013 or 2014. They were using helicopters. Saw it while i was hiking.

[@Tiffany1one]

Bluebeam ???

[@quantumjiggles]

Yeah, that's definitely an arson attack

[@alyssapowell1799]

I'll play devil's advocate. What happens if a fire started on the ground and then spread to the base of an electrical tower? Would that impact the tower in any way? The tower is obviously far taller, so you can see it in the distance from the Arco station's camera. You can't see what's on the ground on the hill. Let's say the fire started some other way and then spread to the tower. Could that have caused the spark? Any electrical experts?

[@brianpeterson6976]

This is a good question 🤔

[@myoldvhstapes]

In the lawyer's press conference earlier today, he claimed to disprove the "someone was camping nearby" theory. But it wasn't strong enough to persuade me.

[@ashman0071]

I can list over 10 large fires during high winds that fire investigators concluded were the result of either SCE or PG&E electrical transmission lines - Paradise Fire, Tubbs Fire, Atlas Fire, Woosley Fire, Nuns Fire, Redwood Complex Fires. Dixie Fire, Thomas Fire, Witch Creek Fire - I could go on - SCE and PG&E have paid out Billions of dollars over the last 7 years in damages - they don't care if you burn to death or your home burns down - it's just their cost of doing business.

[@MikeJordan-yp9wl]

Yea it’s a wrap sce gone head and pay that 100 billion dollar bill

[@Tiffany1one]

Impeach Gov Newsom

[@walterlahaye2128]

The flame throwers hitting those lines perpetuated those fires.

[@hOttOddYfAiLz]

Did these guys forget the arsonists already?

[@juneyshu6197]

Those lawyers are full of it, you can see the fire is above and to the left of the one way sign, next to the stoplight pole, not to the right.

[@curtiscruz8071]

I pump gas at this gas station, the angle of the camera is different than from the reporter on the ground.

[@regcreational6447]

Worked around Altadena area.. That gas station denied me restroom access I believe its now gone.. Businesses should allow workers bathroom access, never know they could be clearing dry brush that which prevents all this carnage.. Simple restroom access and allowing food vendors for lunch 😊😊

[@miaimbeach314]

Edison is guilty

[@Junk65]

Ambulance chaser?

[@WhocaresWhy44]

The stonewalling will be incredible. It will be similar to the Erin Brockovich deal. Chromium6 at a PG&E facility. Stay tuned.

[@rickyspirals]

And the other two locations mysteriously and coincidentally at the same time. Yeah right. This is a space-based laser beamed from a satellite

[@ronnie61b59]

Homeless it was cold

[@ketratech8165]

Oh great more taxes out of my wages to flip the bill for both sides lose and win

[@stephenadams9780]

High energy weapons

[@NeverSuspects]

its not the power companies fault lol.. even if it was caused by trees growing close to the live wires.. the power company doesn't own the tree or the land typically surrounding the wires... and it's not realistic to expect these companies to be able to patrol every mile of wire everywhere in the world every year. people need to report this stuff and manage their own properties, the total amount of dry fuel needs to be managed be it manual removal controlled burns or herds of goats and if you want to sue the power company over this expect higher power bills and less funding to go into modernizing and replacing infrastructure upgrades to line the pocket with people who are looking to blame someone to get paid rather then blame the government failures in management of a known threat and creating the circumstances that allowed the fire to grow as large as it did. the power companies had nothing to do with that.

[@curtiscruz8071]

Who owns the mountains in the states we live in? Who owns & maintains these power lines on these lands? Let's hear what the court decides.

[@salambinny7580]

Common guys, power line accidents SHOULD NOT DIVERT THE BLAME TO THE HORRIBLE RECKLESSNESS of the "democratic leaders" of LA and California

[@morgiou5260]

Investigation😂 You still believe them😞

[@kuchkoryakubov873]

Да здраствуйСССР.🎉

[@MEGAFLYGIRL626]

😂😂😂 they find the farthest video away from the blame.. I’m sure people closer to it have clearer videos than this $hit..

[@koekoek-yt6lf]

Yeah Blame the racoons 😂

[@ShinyDude808]

Sounds like Maui again. Lame

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

DEWs

[@leighfoulkes7297]

Nothing to do with global warming increasing wind speeds and drying the place out? Who did it doesn't really matter if the place is a tinderbox ready to up in smoke with just a small spark.

[@ashman0071]

Heard about the 1961 Bel Air Fire that destroyed 484 homes ?

[@fainjohnson3637]

It was an illegal immigrant.

[@curtiscruz8071]

Space Force is on it.

[@jackinbox3382]

Yes