Environmental activist Erin Brockovich meets with Eaton Fire victims during town hall in Pasadena

Many know Brockovich's journey in environmental activism from the 2000 Oscar-winning film starring Julia Roberts.

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Saturday, February 8, 2025
Erin Brockovich meets with Eaton Fire victims during town hall
"I feel very indignant for all of us that this has happened again," she told the residents. "I've spent way too much time with utilities, from groundwater contamination to fire after fire after fire, and this has got to stop."

PASADENA , Calif. (KABC) -- It's been a month since the deadly Eaton Fire erupted, and many victims continue to search for guidance on the recovery process.

On Friday, LA Fire Justice hosted the first of two town hall meetings for residents featuring attorney Doug Boxer, trial attorney Mikal Watts, and consumer advocate Erin Brockovich.

Many know Brockovich's journey in environmental activism from the 2000 Oscar-winning film starring Julia Roberts. She lives in Los Angeles and has first-hand experience with being evacuated by wildfires.

"I feel very indignant for all of us that this has happened again," she told the residents. "I've spent way too much time with utilities, from groundwater contamination to fire after fire after fire, and this has got to stop."

The meeting discussed topics ranging from what may have started the Eaton Fire, claims for damages and what people should expect when rebuilding their home.

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison after the fire killed at least 17 people and destroyed more than 9,000 structures while burning 14,021 acres.

The attorneys at Friday's meeting said one of the utility company's idle transmission lines sparked the massive fire.

"All there is is transmission tower No. 3," said Watts. "It is the only possible ignition source for the Eaton fire."

Schoolteacher Bridget Batch, whose home was destroyed, said she didn't know about the tower.

"To see that it's been idle for longer than I've been alive, that's since 1975, seems incredibly irresponsible," she said.

SoCal Edison issued a response to the lawsuits Thursday, saying, "We do not know what caused the Eaton Fire. Our investigation is still in its early stages. The investigation into all possible causes involving SCE's equipment continues."

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