Edison Meets Wary Judge as It Seeks to Deflect Eaton Fire Blame

A California judge seemed inclined to reject Southern California Edison Co.’s efforts to shift some blame for the catastrophic Eaton fires onto two Los Angeles-area municipalities during a hearing in state court Tuesday.

The power company argued that failures in Sierra Madre’s and Pasadena’s water systems contributed to the fires that burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed more than 9,000 structures, killed 19 people, and sparked a torrent of litigation.

Judge Laura Seigle of the Los Angeles Superior Court presided over a hearing on the municipalities’ bid to toss Edison’s cross claims. She repeatedly pressed Edison’s attorney Brittani Jackson ...