GLENDALE — Attorneys who contend Southern California Edison equipment sparked the Eaton Fire that erupted during a Jan. 7 windstorm — destroying thousands of structures and leaving at least 17 people dead — were pointing Monday to newly released video that they believe is evidence the utility's transmission lines were the source of the inferno.

What You Need To Know

  • A series of lawsuits have already been filed against the utility, alleging its equipment was responsible for the fire that began around 6 p.m. Jan. 7

  • The Eaton Fire, which broke out on Jan. 7, has destroyed thousands of structures and left 17 dead

  • The cause of the fire has not been officially determined

  • David Eisenhauer, a spokesman for SCE, told City News Service, "That video requires thorough analysis, and it would be irresponsible for anyone to comment on the footage until it has gone through expert review"

A series of lawsuits have already been filed against the utility, alleging its equipment was responsible for the fire that began around 6 p.m. Jan. 7. As of Monday, the fire had burned more than 14,000 acres, killed at least 17 people and destroyed 9,418 structures, many of them homes.

A cause of the fire has not been officially determined.

Attorneys representing various residents in the Altadena and Pasadena areas, however, have already sued, pointing the finger at Edison, which has responded by saying the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

"Our hearts remain with our communities during the devastating fires in Southern California, and we remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time," Edison officials said when the first volley of suits were filed on Jan. 13.

Over the weekend, attorneys from the Edelson law firm posted a surveillance video online taken from an Altadena gas station that the lawyers contend shows SCE power lines arcing during the Jan. 7 windstorm, and sparks subsequently falling to the ground. Within minutes, flames can be seen on the hillside.

Law firm founder Jay Edelson issued a statement calling the video "the clearest and most damning evidence yet" that SCE equipment sparked the fire.

David Eisenhauer, a spokesman for SCE, told City News Service, "That video requires thorough analysis, and it would be irresponsible for anyone to comment on the footage until it has gone through expert review."

He said SCE received the video over the weekend from the New York Times, and the utility immediately shared it with fire investigators.

Investigators working to determine the cause of the fire have been previously seen working in the area of the SCE transmission lines. The utility has said previously that transmission lines on the east side of Eaton Canyon were still energized the night the fire erupted, although distribution lines on the west side were powered off. SCE chief executive Steven Powell told the Los Angeles Times that the winds were not considered strong enough to warrant de- energizing the transmission line.