Massive fire erupts at Boyle Heights warehouse; ammonia leak suspected
Videos show explosion at Boyle Heights warehouse
Videos obtained by FOX 11 shows moments of explosion prior to the massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights.
LOS ANGELES - Firefighters continue to battle a massive warehouse fire at a cold-storage facility in Boyle Heights.
While the shelter-in-place order for nearby residents has been lifted, officials warn that the blaze is still not fully knocked down.
What we know:
SkyFOX was over the scene at the Lineage freight building in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 17.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the solar panels on the roof caught on fire, with the flames extending to various parts of the warehouse.
A shelter-in-place order was declared for nearby residents for hours before officials eventually lifted the mandate.
Prior to the order being lifted, those living in areas south of the 101 Freeway near Washington Boulevard to east of Soto Street to Indiana Street were told to stay inside.
No injuries were reported.
Possible ammonia leak in Boyle Heights?
FOX 11's crew at the scene reports a suspected ammonia leak at the warehouse. LAFD confirmed the fire reached the ammonia line at the building, and added the ammonia exposure would not necessarily be toxic, but may be worth monitoring for individuals nearby the scene with respiratory issues.
Below is a list provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on symptoms of high levels of ammonia:
- Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Coughing or coughing up white or pink colored fluid
- Skin blisters, pain, or redness
- Burning feeling in the nose, throat, lungs and eyes
- Narrowing of the throat and swelling
- Permanent or temporary blindness
- Frostbite, if exposed to liquified ammonia
What we don't know:
Officials did not say what caused the fire.
Officials have also not yet determined the full extent of the structural damage or when the fire will be officially categorized as completely knocked down.
Crews make rare water drops on Boyle Heights fire
Fire erupted at the cold-storage facility in Boyle Heights Wednesday, rapidly spreading across solar paneling on the roof of the sprawling warehouse.
What they're saying:
Commenting on the rare aerial response, Moore said it was a "very unique" situation for crews to use water-dropping helicopters for a structure fire, but the size of the warehouse necessitated the aerial operation.
He added it was only the second time in his 31-year career he could remember water drops being used on a building.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado issued a statement saying, "Our office is closely monitoring the fire at the cold storage facility on the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street in Boyle Heights. We know how frightening it is to see heavy smoke in your neighborhood, especially for families, workers, small businesses, and commuters who are trying to understand what is happening and how to stay safe."
Mayor Karen Bass thanked first responders and previously urged residents to get indoors.
"I urge everyone in the impacted area to get indoors immediately, close windows and doors, turn off air conditioning, and avoid unnecessary travel to the area," Bass said on social media. "I want to thank the brave LAFD and public safety personnel who responded quickly and remain on scene." County Supervisor Hilda Solis also urged residents across nearby neighborhoods to take immediate indoor shelter during the height of the smoke plume.
The backstory:
Wednesday's incident does not appear to be the first time that area caught on fire. The solar panel from the same building had caught on fire on August 14, 2024. It took 80 LAFD firefighters to take down the 2024 fire in a little more than 45 minutes. No one was injured in the Aug. 2024 fire.
The warehouse was first built in 2018.
Boyle Heights fire rages on in Los Angeles
A massive fire broke out at a warehouse near Boyle Heights.
What's next:
LAFD crews will remain on the scene to extinguish hot spots and fully contain the fire.
Investigators will work to access the facility safely to determine the cause of the fire and evaluate the integrity of the building and its ammonia systems.
What you can do:
Although the mandatory shelter-in-place order has been lifted, residents with respiratory conditions or other sensitive health concerns are advised to continue monitoring local air quality and exercise caution.
Officials recommend remaining indoors, keeping windows and doors closed, and limiting exposure to outdoor air whenever possible.
The Source: This article referenced information provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department, FOX 11's crew at the scene and previous FOX 11 reports.