Heidi, Spencer Pratt Sue L.A. After Palisades Fire Burns Home
Reality TV Stars Join Over 20 Other Property Owners in Lawsuit Against City and DWP
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, along with several other Pacific Palisades property owners, have sued the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) over damage to their properties during the Palisades fire.
Background
The Palisades fire, which burned for over two weeks, destroyed 6,662 structures and damaged 890, leaving 11 people dead. The fire was fueled by ultra-dry weather conditions, vegetation, and hurricane-force winds.
Legal Action
The Pratts and other plaintiffs filed their lawsuit Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging inverse condemnation – a legal concept that gives property owners compensation for damage caused by public use. They blame the city and DWP for making “the conscious decision to operate the water supply system with the reservoir drained and unusable as a ‘cost-saving’ measure,” limiting the flow of water to the area’s fire hydrants and tankers.
Reservoir Issues
The Santa Ynez Reservoir, which services Pacific Palisades, was offline and emptied before the fire erupted. According to reports, the 117-million gallon reservoir was offline for repairs since early 2024, and repairs requested “ASAP” in January 2024 would not be done until April or May of 2025.
Investigation
Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into the causes behind the loss of water pressure to fire hydrants, which hampered firefighting efforts in the city. At least two other lawsuits have been filed.
Complaint
The complaint, obtained by The Times, alleges that the facilities, reservoir, water supply system, hydrants, infrastructure, and other public improvement measures taken by the city and utility “presented an inherent danger and risk of fire to private property.” They also blame the city and utility for taking “a known, calculated risk” that private property would be damaged and destroyed by fire.
Seeking Damages
The defendants are seeking an amount in damages to be determined at trial, including compensation for property that was damaged or destroyed, lost wages or business profits, and living expenses stemming from loss of use of their homes, plus legal costs.
Public Response
Representatives for City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto’s office and the DWP did not immediately respond to The Times’ requests for comment. The Pratts have spoken out prolifically on social media and in news interviews about what they lost in the fire and their efforts to raise money in its wake.
Conclusion
The lawsuit is the latest development in the aftermath of the Palisades fire, which has left a trail of destruction and devastation in its wake. The Pratts and other plaintiffs are seeking justice and compensation for the damage caused by the city and DWP’s actions.
FAQs
Q: What is the Palisades fire?
A: The Palisades fire was a devastating wildfire that burned for over two weeks, destroying 6,662 structures and damaging 890, leaving 11 people dead.
Q: Who is suing the city and DWP?
A: Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, along with over 20 other property owners, are suing the city and DWP over damage to their properties during the Palisades fire.
Q: What is the reason for the lawsuit?
A: The plaintiffs are alleging that the city and DWP’s decision to operate the water supply system with the reservoir drained and unusable as a “cost-saving” measure caused the damage to their properties.
Q: What is the goal of the lawsuit?
A: The goal of the lawsuit is to seek compensation for the damage caused by the city and DWP’s actions, including property damage, lost wages or business profits, and living expenses stemming from loss of use of their homes, plus legal costs.