Category - Outdoors
22 L.A. Wildfire Victims Sue City Alleging Water Mismanagement
Twenty-two victims of the Los Angeles wildfires have filed a joint lawsuit against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), alleging that the department mismanaged water in their area and stymied rescue efforts.
The suit, reviewed by Variety, was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Amongst the 22 plaintiffs are reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, who lost their home in the Palisades fire, as well as Pratt’s parents and sister, who lost their houses as well. Each of the claimants is seeking to sue for “inverse condemnation,” alleging that the city caused their property damage through mismanagement of the water system. They are seeking unspecified damages including lost wages, legal fees, and the amount to repair or replace their homes.
The lawsuit claims that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was "effectively out of commission" and awaiting repairs during the fires, which led to a lack of water for firefighters. "Hydrants in Pacific Palisades failed after three tanks each holding one million gallons of water went dry within a span of 12 hours," the suit alleges. It also claims that the city "designed the water system for public use such that it would not have enough water pressure to fight an urban fire."
Related: 'Blues Brothers' Actor Killed at 95 by L.A. Wildfires
Pratt’s parents, Janet and William, are included in the suit alongside his sister and former The Hills co-star Stephanie Pratt. The reality star has been vocal about his family’s struggle during the destructive fires, confirming to followers on Jan. 8 that he and Montag had lost their home. He later told People that he was opening himself up due to financial difficulties rather than a desire to be “vulnerable.”
"If we were rich, I wouldn't be on an app," Pratt admitted. "I'd be buying a new house and starting to order things. So, I don't think we would've shared anything vulnerable. [Social media] is how we already made money before. That's our way of life. Heidi and I have been Snapchatting every day probably for eight years, our whole life," he continued. "So, especially when your house and everything's gone, you're not going to be like, 'Oh, I'm going to stop doing the one thing that pays us.’”
In a Jan. 17 interview with Variety, Pratt claimed that he "made, like, $4,000 on TikTok this week.” He later wrote on TikTok: “I know people are like, ‘You’re rich, you will be fine.’ Yeah, I wish. Everything in our house was paid for by Heidi and I hustling any way we could. Everything we have worked for was in this house…We are starting at zero now.”