A Fire at a Cold-Storage Warehouse in Los Angeles Has Been Burning for Days. Here’s What We Know
A fire at a cold storage – A persistent plume of thick, smoky haze has become a notable feature of Los Angeles’ skyline, lingering for nearly a week. The blaze erupted at a cold-storage facility housing 85 million pounds of frozen goods, sparking urgent action from local authorities and residents. Smoke from the fire has spread widely, prompting shelter-in-place advisories and leading neighbors to disable air conditioning to minimize exposure.
Origin of the Fire
According to Lineage, the company leasing and managing the warehouse, the fire is believed to have begun on the roof on Wednesday. At the time, subcontractors were working on the facility’s solar panel system. The company emphasized that it does not own the building or its solar infrastructure, which is operated by a separate third-party firm.
“We believe the fire originated on the roof on Wednesday while the company’s subcontractors were servicing the solar array,” said Lineage. “Lineage does not own the building or its rooftop solar array. We are the tenant-operator of the warehouse building and lease the roof to a third-party solar company, which is responsible for operating and maintaining the array.”
Firefighting Efforts
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that the fire broke out around 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday at 1400 S. Los Palos St. Initially, crews focused on aggressive suppression, but a suspected ammonia leak forced them to shift to a defensive strategy. Ammonia, commonly used in refrigeration systems, was quickly contained through proactive measures, including pumping and removing it from the site.
“We can confirm that no measurable ammonia concentrations have been recorded in the community since the fire began,” Lineage added. “We also proactively took steps to pump out the ammonia and transport it offsite, removing the possibility of ammonia posing a risk to the community.”
Structural and Environmental Challenges
Firefighters faced significant difficulties due to the warehouse’s vast size and unstable conditions. The collapsed roof created complex hazards, with sections resting on interior storage racks. “We have 85 million pounds of frozen food inside of this facility, and the way the building has been laid out, it’s very difficult for us to get in there because there’s zero visibility inside,” stated Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore.
Additionally, heavy water application caused wall instability, complicating efforts to access the fire’s core. Despite these challenges, the blaze was largely brought under control within six hours. However, wind conditions on Friday led to a flare-up inside the structure.
“The sheer size of this structure … largely prevented effective ground access,” the LAFD noted. “Though not typically deployed in structure fires due to safety concerns, LAFD helicopters performed water drops to knock down the bulk of the flames.”
Community Impact and Response
Residents in Boyle Heights, where Lineage operates a large facility, have been deeply affected by the incident. The company has pledged $2 million to the California Community Foundation to support those impacted. Lineage is also collaborating with local officials to provide air purifiers, food, and other resources to the community.
While no injuries were reported among the building’s employees, they were evacuated safely. Lineage has been working to relocate workers to alternative facilities. The incident has also drawn attention to the risks of long-duration fires, with the LAFD describing it as a “complex, long-duration incident requiring sustained operations.”
Mayor Declares Emergency
In response to the ongoing crisis, LA Mayor Bass declared an emergency to ensure adequate resources are available for firefighting efforts. The LAFD has not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire, but ongoing operations suggest the situation remains volatile as crews continue to address challenges from within the structure.
