BOYLE HEIGHTS (CNS) – Fire erupted at a cold-storage facility in Boyle Heights Wednesday, rapidly spreading across solar paneling on the roof of the sprawling warehouse, while an ammonia leak inside the building prompted shelter- in-place orders for a nearby residents and businesses as thick smoke billowed into the air.
The fire was reported shortly after 2:30 p.m. at a Lineage cold- storage facility in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The blaze was initially reported to be primarily burning on the solar panels covering the roof of the 491,000-square-foot structure, and crews appeared to quickly get the upper hand on the flames. But crews on scene then reported an ammonia gas leak in the building’s interior, and several small explosions were reported, re-invigorating the flames, which sent a thick plume of black smoke into the air in a plume visible for miles.
The intensity of the flames and heightened danger due to the ammonia leak forced LAFD crews to pull away from the structure and assume a defensive posture, pouring water on the structure from the exterior.
As the fire spread, LAFD hose lines were unable to reach parts of the fire, so three water-dropping helicopters were brought to the scene to help halt the flames, dumping thousands of gallons of water onto the building.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for a wide area near the warehouse as dark smoke blanketed the area. The order affected an area south of 101 Freeway to roughly Washington Boulevard, and east of Soto Street to Indiana Street on the west. Residents were advised to remain indoors, close all windows and doors and turn off air conditioning/heating units.
As the smoke continued spreading, shelter-in-place advisories were issued for residents across an even wider area stretching across East Los Angeles, Vernon and into Commerce. Residents with health issues were particularly advised to heed the recommendation to remain indoors.
LAFD Chief Jaime Moore said the leaking ammonia is not dangerous unless people have respiratory or other health conditions. He called it 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.
Moore said he has been with the LAFD for 31 years, and it was only the second time he can remember aerial water drops being used to douse a structure fire — the last time being about six years ago in Echo Park.
The Los Angeles Police Department went on citywide tactical alert in response to the fire, enabling the agency to keep officers on duty beyond their normal shifts to address public safety concerns.
No injuries were immediately reported. It was unclear what sparked the blaze.
The solar panels on the same building also caught fire in August 2024, but LAFD crews were able to douse that blaze in less than an hour with no injuries.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who represents the area, 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.”
County Supervisor Hilda Solis urged residents in nearby neighborhoods, “including Boyle Heights, unincorporated East Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Monterey Park … to go indoors immediately, close windows and doors, and turn off air conditioning and heating systems. If possible, move people and pets to an interior room and close vents.”
Mayor Karen Bass also urged people to heed shelter-in-place warnings.
“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.”
According to the Lineage website, the facility offers cold storage, customs brokerage, drayage and blast freezing. The facility “is built to handle high-volume inventory and streamline … global cold chain from production floor to international delivery.”
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