Billion dollar company under investigation due to potential link to LA wildfires

They have vowed to donate $1 million to support relief efforts

Southern California Edison, a subsidiary of energy giant Edison International, has admitted its grid experienced a short circuit issue on Tuesday evening.

The timing coincides with when the Hurst fire broke out but it remains unclear if that incident happened before or after the fire started.

In a press release Edison International said: "On 10 January 10, Southern California Edison (SCE) filed an Electric Safety Incident Report (ESIR) related to the Hurst Fire once SCE learned fire agencies are investigating whether SCE equipment was involved in the ignition, which is a triggering event for reporting.

"SCE noted that the fire was reported at approximately 10:10pm on 7 January, and preliminary information reflects the Eagle Rock - Sylmar 220 kV circuit experienced a relay at 10:11pm.

"A downed powerline was discovered at a tower associated with the Eagle Rock - Sylmar 220 kV circuit.

"SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire."

In relation to the Eaton fire, Edison said SCE conducted analysis of the equipment in the area and found 'no interruptions or operational/electrical anomalies in the 12 hours prior to the fire’s reported start time until more than one hour after the reported start time of the fire'.

The company has announced that it will provide a $1 million contribution to 'community-based organisations to support relief efforts and assist those affected by the wildfires'.

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The president of the company Pedro J. Pizarro said: "We are proud to support nonprofits that provide critical services to our customers and employees, and we are grateful for the contributions from other Southern California companies who have stepped up to support our communities during this difficult time."

The SCE claim to have restored power of more than 500,000 customers since January 7 but 62,662 customers are still without power as of 5.30am January 12.

They said: "Severe equipment damage and access restrictions in areas impacted by wildfire may lead to restoration times taking longer than usual, from several days to, in some instances, weeks.

"Thousands of SCE employees and contractors are working alongside mutual assistance crews 24/7 to restore power."

The death toll from the wildfires has risen to 24. The LA County coroner's office attributes eight of those deaths to the Palisades fire and 16 to the Eaton fire.