According to a new lawsuit, Southern California Edison and Boeing are to blame for the disastrous Woolsey Fire in California.

What is the Woolsey Fire?

On Nov. 8, 2018, the Woolsey Fire was ignited near the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Los Angeles County. Over two weeks, the fire burned across almost 97,000 acres, or 151 square miles, and destroyed or damaged almost 2,000 buildings. It was the most destructive fire in the history of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

According to Cal Fire, an estimated 295,000 thousand people were displaced from their homes, and three civilians were killed as a result of the blaze.

Woolsey Fire Complaint Allegations

This newest complaint against Southern California Edison and Boeing is one of many complaints and lawsuits that have been filed against these and other companies in relation to the recent California fires.

A lawsuit filed by more than 100 property owners in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in early February 2019 claimed that the fire initially started at a substation owned by Southern California Edison located on land owned by Boeing.

The new complaint adds to these claims, alleging that rockets have been tested on the land owned by Boeing, resulting in radioactive and toxic chemical waste contamination. Additionally, the complaint alleges that nuclear accidents have happened on the land, and that Boeing was aware of the possibility of toxins in the ground.

According to the suit, Boeing may have had knowledge of the possibility that a fire on the land near the Santa Susana Field Laboratory could result in toxic chemicals being released into the air.

The complaint states that in 2007, Boeing signed an agreement with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to clean up the land by 2017. The LA Times reports that this clean up has yet to be completed.

Allegations Against Boeing and Southern California Edison

Southern California Edison allegedly reported an Electric Safety Incident on the same day as the start of the Woolsey Fire, leading many to believe that the utility company is responsible for the fire’s ignition. According to the newest complaint, Southern California Edison has a history of inadequately maintaining electrical equipment, which could have lead to the start of the disastrous fire.

Allegations have also been made by many plaintiffs that Boeing’s fire and security personnel failed to respond appropriately to the fire. Following these allegations, officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and Ventura County Fire Department have released statements saying that they had minimal or no interactions with Boeing firefighters at the scene. Boeing denies these allegations, stating that their firefighters responded promptly to the blaze.

If you are a resident of Los Angeles or Ventura Counties in California and were injured or suffered property damage due to the Woolsey Fire, you may qualify to join a free class action investigation.