A major fire at a 491,000-square-foot cold-storage warehouse in Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights began June 17 after flames spread across rooftop solar panels and an ammonia leak triggered explosions. Shelter-in-place orders followed, air quality deteriorated across
For the third day. the fight over a Boyle Heights warehouse fire hasn’t looked like a typical blaze that burns out quickly. Los Angeles Fire Department officials warned on June 20 that crews are dealing with a complex. long-duration incident. even as the fire continues to affect smoke conditions and the safety of firefighters.
The scene began shortly after 2:30 p.m. on June 17 at 1400 S. Los Palos St., where a 491,000-square-foot cold-storage warehouse started burning and spread across the solar panels on its roof. Inside, an ammonia leak developed, and explosions followed—prompting rare, defensive aerial water drops used to help battle the blaze.
In the days since, emergency actions moved from the scene to government offices. Mayor Karen Bass issued an emergency declaration on June 20. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County the same day. saying in an X post that the state was “deploying specialized resources. supporting local firefighters and pre-positioning critical supplies to protect communities and accelerate recovery.”.
The air around the area also carried a heavy impact. On June 21. the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s air quality map rated the stretch between central Los Angeles and Glendale as “Very Unhealthy” around 11:30 a.m. Surrounding neighborhoods—including Pasadena—were designated “Unhealthy. ” while areas including Beverly Hills and El Monte were “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” Further east. San Bernardino’s air quality was “Unhealthy. ” and nearby Rancho Cucamonga was “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” Cities including San Fernando. Santa Monica and Inglewood were listed as “Moderate” or “Good.”.
The fire department said on June 20 that keeping its personnel safe remains its top priority. Crews had identified areas of wall instability tied to the significant volume of water being applied to the structure. Officials also said smoke conditions are “expected to continue evolving,” tied to shifting weather and the ongoing firefighting effort. To distinguish details of the incident, the department has used drones and its structural firefighting robot.
Where the warehouse operators placed the blame also comes with uncertainty. Lineage—the warehousing and logistics company that leases and operates the facility—said as of June 21 that no cause had been determined. The company leases the roof to a third-party solar company that operates and maintains the solar array.
Lineage said in a statement on its website that it believes the fire originated on the roof on Wednesday while its subcontractors were servicing the solar array. The company also said all employees were evacuated and that no injuries were reported.
For residents, officials and public health guidance focused on what to do with the smoke—because the danger wasn’t just the flames. Initial conditions prompted shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents and businesses after thick smoke billowed into the air.
The California Department of Public Health advised people to stay indoors during the fire but to wear an N95 mask if going outside becomes necessary. In a June 20 Instagram post. the department said. “N95 masks protect us from particles that can cause health issues. like a persistent cough. runny nose. phlegm. wheezing. and difficulty breathing.”.
As the smoke lingered, two locations were set up as temporary shelters for those affected: City Terrace Park and Pecan Recreation Center in Los Angeles. Bass announced on June 20 that Uber would provide up to two free rides for residents traveling to or from the shelters.
In her statement, Bass said, “The City and County have opened spaces for families seeking relief from the smoke, and we will continue working around the clock and doing everything possible to put this fire out completely.”
Behind those words is a grinding reality the fire department laid out on June 20: the blaze “remains a complex. long-duration incident that will require sustained operations.” With explosions tied to an ammonia leak. shifting smoke conditions. and safety concerns caused by water application. the immediate challenge is visible—but the longer-term strain is showing up in shelters. in air-quality alerts. and in the way neighborhoods are being asked to adjust their daily lives as the fire continues.
Boyle Heights fire Los Angeles warehouse fire cold storage facility ammonia leak rooftop solar panels air quality map shelter in place Karen Bass emergency declaration Gavin Newsom state of emergency N95 mask guidance City Terrace Park shelter Pecan Recreation Center
Cold-storage warehouse… so basically like freezers catching fire? wild.
Wait they said shelter-in-place but also water drops from the air?? That seems backwards. Are they telling people to stay inside or go look at the explosions?
Ammonia leak + explosions = solar panels?? I’m confused, like how does rooftop solar cause an ammonia problem inside? Sounds like somebody should’ve checked the system before it turned into a Hollywood disaster.
Every time I see Boyle Heights mentioned I’m like, here we go again. Emergency declarations don’t mean much if the air is “Very Unhealthy” for days… my cousin in Pasadena said it smelled like chemicals. Also Gov Newsom always says “specialized resources” but we never see that on the ground.