Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag Sue City of Los Angeles Over Fire Destruction

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag have filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) after their home was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades Fire earlier this month. The lawsuit, submitted to California's Superior Court on January 21, claims that the devastating fire was a direct result of how the city and LADWP allegedly managed water supply in the area.

Joining the couple in the lawsuit are Spencer’s mother, Janet Pratt, and William Pratt, whose exact relationship to Spencer has not been confirmed. Spencer’s sister, Stephanie Pratt, had previously confirmed that their parents’ home was also destroyed in the fire, just hours after Spencer and Heidi's.

The lawsuit claims that the fire caused severe damages, including destroyed homes, insurance shortfalls, medical expenses, business interruptions, and emotional distress. The plaintiffs argue that the fire was an “inevitable consequence” of mismanagement, specifically due to the draining of the Santa Ynez Reservoir. The reservoir, which has been out of commission since February 2024 for repairs, allegedly caused hydrants to run dry when the fire struck.

According to the lawsuit, LADWP opted to operate the water supply system despite the drained reservoir in an attempt to save money. This resulted in three million-gallon water tanks being emptied in just 12 hours, leaving the hydrants ineffective.

The lawsuit also highlights prior concerns raised by Gus Corona, business manager of the IBEW Local 18 union, about the water system’s design. "It's completely unacceptable that this reservoir was empty for almost a year for minor repairs," Corona told The Los Angeles Times. "This work should have been done in-house."

The plaintiffs are suing for damages including property repair costs, loss of enjoyment, and lost wages. They are requesting an undisclosed amount, along with attorneys' fees and a jury trial.

Spencer Pratt, speaking to PEOPLE this month, shared that despite the loss, he and Heidi are still active on social media as they depend on it for income. "If we were rich, I wouldn't be on an app. I'd be buying a new house," he said. "Social media is how we already made money before. That’s our way of life."