The California Department of Justice has launched an investigation to determine whether race, age or disability discrimination played a role in the delayed emergency response of a historically Black community in Altadena during last year’s devastating Eaton fire.

“We know that evacuation warnings for the historically Black neighborhood of West Altadena came many hours after these same warnings were sent to the rest of Altadena,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a press conference Thursday, Feb. 12, announcing the probe.

“We must let the facts uncovered by our investigation determine what went wrong here, but one thing holds true: The people of West Altadena deserve answers to their questions and deserve institutions that are responsive to their concerns, and institutions they can trust,” Bonta said.

The Eaton fire burned over 14,000 acres, killing at least 19 people and destroying over 9,000 buildings.

The average age of the people who died was 77, according to the attorney general’s office.

The probe will be centered on potential civil rights law violations, Bonta’s office said.

This is breaking news. Please check back periodically for updates.

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