Fire investigators identify utility tower as cause of deadly Eaton fire

Los Angeles County fire officials have identified the cause of the Eaton fire, which killed 19 people earlier this year. A report released on August 4, 2025, found that electrical arcing from a Southern California Edison tower started the blaze. The tower sat on a ridge above the Eaton Wash and was not in service at the time. The fire destroyed or damaged more than 9,000 homes and buildings in the Altadena area. The 55-page report was produced by county and state fire investigators after several months of work. California law requires Edison to keep its equipment in a condition that reduces the risk of large wildfires. The findings may affect how much legal responsibility the utility company carries for the disaster.