Boyle Heights shelter-in-place lifted, air quality warnings remain after warehouse fire
Boyle Heights warehouse fire continues to burn
Although the fire was officially contained Wednesday evening, fire crews remained at the scene throughout the night and through Thursday, conducting mop-up operations.
LOS ANGELES - A three-day environmental and safety crisis in Boyle Heights eased Friday morning as fire officials officially lifted a localized shelter-in-place order.
Although the massive warehouse fire is contained, emergency crews remain on the scene managing smoke ventilation and monitoring air quality.
What we know:
The fire broke out shortly after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the 491,000-square-foot Lineage cold-storage facility in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The flames rapidly spread across rooftop solar panels, while an ammonia leak inside the building forced firefighters to transition to a defensive exterior strategy.
Because standard hose lines could not reach the center of the massive structure, the LAFD deployed three water-dropping helicopters to dump thousands of gallons of water on the roof.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Boyle Heights warehouse fire prompts rare helicopter water drops, extended air quality warning
LAFD Chief Jaime Moore noted that in his 31-year career, this was only the second time he had seen aerial water drops used on a structure fire.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Boyle Heights warehouse fire flares up again
A warehouse fire in Boyle Heights reignited Thursday, sending thick smoke into nearby neighborhoods and prompting a renewed shelter-in-place order.
The fire was officially contained Wednesday evening, but ventilation operations on Thursday afternoon released concentrated pockets of trapped smoke from a burning freezer container.
This forced a second shelter-in-place order that lasted until 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Though the fire was initially contained Wednesday evening and the original shelter-in-place order lifted, crews conducting mop-up operations on Thursday afternoon discovered a fire pocket inside a freezer container.
The LAFD reissued the shelter-in-place order for an area stretching south of the 101 Freeway to roughly Washington Boulevard, east of Lorena Street and west of Indiana Street.
Hazardous materials specialists monitoring the area have not detected elevated contaminant levels.
No injuries have been reported.
Dig deeper:
The solar panels on this exact building previously caught fire in August 2024, though that incident was resolved in under an hour.
What we don't know:
The exact cause of Wednesday's fire remains unknown and is still under investigation.
Officials have not confirmed if the rooftop solar panels initiated the blaze or simply accelerated it.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Crews gain control of Boyle Heights warehouse fire
Air quality concerns eased Thursday as the Los Angeles Fire Department continued its work to fully extinguish a fire that erupted at a cold-food processing and storage facility in Boyle Heights.
It's also unclear how much internal inventory was destroyed or how long the commercial logistics facility will remain offline.
What they're saying:
"Although smoke in the area has decreased, individuals with sensitivity to smoke should continue to monitor air quality alerts and avoid unnecessary exposure to outdoor air," the LAFD advised in a statement.
Regarding the rare use of aircraft on a commercial building, LAFD Chief Jaime Moore called it a "very unique" situation, adding that the sheer size of the warehouse necessitated the aerial operation.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) warned that localized impacts persist: "Smoldering material may continue to affect air quality directly downwind; cooler smoke plumes may not rise as high, leading to ground-level visibility issues and possible ash deposition."
Regarding the ongoing air quality risks, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) released a statement explaining the atmospheric conditions.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Shelter-in-place order re-issued for areas near Boyle Heights fire
Residents in the shelter-in-place area were advised to close their windows and doors and turn off air conditioning and heating units.
"Due to sustained smoke impacts in the nearby community, South Coast AQMD continues to review particulate matter data from our regional air monitors as well as local air quality sensor networks. Smoldering material may continue to affect air quality directly downwind; cooler smoke plumes may not rise as high, leading to ground-level visibility issues and possible ash deposition, the statement read.
What's next:
LAFD hazardous materials specialists and fire crews will remain on-site through Friday to finish mop-up operations, completely douse internal hot spots, and monitor the immediate area for any changes in air quality.
A formal investigation into the origin of the fire will proceed once the building is deemed entirely safe to enter.
What you can do:
Monitor Air Quality: Check the South Coast AQMD regional air monitors and local sensor networks for real-time particulate matter updates.
Protect Vulnerable People and Pets: If you have asthma, COPD, or other respiratory sensitivities, stay indoors, keep your windows and doors closed, and avoid running window-mounted air conditioning units that draw in outside air.
Wear Masks: If you must go outside in the immediate downwind area, wear a well-fitted mask (such as an N95) to protect against localized particle pollution and falling ash.
The Source: This report is based on official public safety statements and live updates issued by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), including direct on-scene briefings from LAFD Chief Jaime Moore. Supplemental air quality metrics and pollution advisories were verified through data and regional monitoring alerts published by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).