Southern California Edison Sued As Deadly Fire Rages On

VENTURA COUNTY, CA -- A group of California residents filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison, claiming the utility company is to blame for the deadly Thomas Fire that's become the third largest wildfire in state history. The lawsuit was filed by a Ventura County attorney on "behalf of residents and business owners" in Ventura County, according to NPR.

"The lawsuit contends, in part, that Southern California Edison crews working above a campground near the town of Santa Paula are the likely cause of the fire," NPR reported. "The suit also alleges that water hydrants operated by the city of Ventura and the Casitas Municipal Water District didn't work properly."

The Thomas Fire sparked on Dec. 4 in Santa Paula and burned through Ventura County before reaching Santa Barbara County. Fueled by Santa Ana winds, the fire killed a Cal Fire engineer and a Ventura resident.

It also destroyed more than 1,000 structures and damaged 242 others. As of Sunday morning, the fire stood at 269,000 acres and was 40 percent contained.

Last week, Southern California Edison said it believed fire officials were investigating the company's possible role in the wildfire.

--Photo: In this photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, fire burns canyons and ridges above Bella Vista Drive near Romero Canyon as the fight to contain a wildfire continues in Montecito, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)

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