Boyle Heights warehouse fire prompts rare helicopter water drops, extended air quality warning
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.
A shelter-in-place order has since been re-issued for nearby residents after the mandate came and went on Wednesday. The Los Angeles Fire Department said on its website that crews are "undertaking ventilation measures" to blow away hazardous smoke from the facility.
It is unknown when the second shelter-in-place order will be lifted.
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.
The flames rapidly spread across solar panels on the building's roof, sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air that was visible for miles.
While firefighters initially appeared to gain control, an ammonia leak developed inside the building alongside several small explosions.
The heightened danger and intense flames forced crews to transition to a defensive strategy, pulling back from the structure to pour water from the exterior.
LAFD gives update following massive Boyle Heights fire
Although authorities have lifted the shelter-in-place order, residents with respiratory conditions or other sensitive health concerns were advised to wear masks and keep doors and windows closed, limiting exposure to outdoor air whenever possible.
Because standard hose lines could not reach the center of the massive building, the Los Angeles Fire Department deployed three water-dropping helicopters to dump thousands of gallons of water onto the roof—a tactic rarely utilized in urban structure fires.
By 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, officials reported that the spread of the flames had been stopped.
The incident prompted a citywide tactical alert from the Los Angeles Police Department to keep officers on duty past their normal shifts for public safety.
No injuries have been reported.
What we don't know:
It remains unclear what exactly sparked the initial fire on the roof or what triggered the subsequent internal explosions.
Officials have not yet detailed the extent of the structural damage to the facility or how much inventory was lost.
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:
LAFD Chief Jaime Moore emphasized the rarity of the aerial firefight, noting the size of the warehouse required unique tactics.
"I have been with the LAFD for 31 years, and it was only the second time I can recall aerial water drops being used to battle a structure fire," Moore said, noting the last occurrence was roughly six years ago in Echo Park.
Regarding the chemical leak, Moore stated that the leaking ammonia was not dangerous unless people have pre-existing respiratory or other health conditions.
The SCAQMD warned residents that the nature of the smoke could change as the fire winds down. "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."
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.
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-site for extended overhaul operations, meticulously chasing hot spots embedded deep within the sprawling structure.
Fire investigators will launch a formal probe into the cause of the fire, with specific scrutiny likely placed on the building's solar panel infrastructure given the facility's identical fire history in 2024.
South Coast AQMD will continue reviewing particulate matter data from regional monitors and local sensor networks through Friday.
What you can do:
Although the official shelter-in-place order has been lifted for the immediate area, residents across Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, Vernon, and Commerce should continue to take precautions due to the extended air quality advisory.
If you live downwind or notice smoke odor and ash:
- Keep all doors and windows closed tightly.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
- Run air conditioners or air purifiers with clean filters, and avoid using units that draw in outdoor air.
- Wear a well-fitting mask (like an N95) if you must spend time outside.
- Bring pets indoors to limit their exposure to ground-level smoke and ash.
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.