Fire agencies are investigating the possibility that Southern California Edison’s utility infrastructure sparked one of the wildfires that is still raging in Los Angeles. 

The Hurst fire, which currently some 771 acres and 70% contained, has been raging since Tuesday. 

SCE, a unit of Edison International, said in a filing to its regulators that a downed conductor was discovered at a tower associated with its Eagle Rock-Sylmar220 kV circuit.

“SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire,” the utility said.

It added that initial information suggested the circuit relayed at 10.11pm, whereas the fire was first reported at 10.10pm (both local time). 

More than a dozen looters arrested

More than a dozen looters attempting to rob evacuated homes have been arrested, according to police. 

The LA County Sheriff’s Information Bureau issued a statement which said: “There have been 13 looting arrests related to the Eaton Fire and two looting arrests related to the Palisades Fire.”

LA police chief Jim McDonnell said earlier anyone flouting curfews in evacuation zones will be arrested and face a fine and possible jail time.

A police official said last night that at least 18 people have been arrested during the firestorm so far on suspicion of looting and possession of illegal drugs – and one person, he said, was on parole and had a firearm.