A fire at a cold storage warehouse near downtown Los Angeles has been continuously pumping fumes across Southern California for five days since it ignited on June 17. The blaze, located at a Lineage Logistics facility in the Boyle Heights neighborhood, has been described as one of the most disruptive industrial fires in the area in recent years, causing air quality to reach unhealthy levels.
Authorities have taken significant measures to combat the ongoing fire. Intersections around the smoldering warehouse were shut down on Sunday to provide emergency crews with unhindered access. Firefighters have been engaged in a round-the-clock effort to extinguish the stubborn blaze.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared an emergency on Saturday to secure necessary resources for fighting the fire. This declaration aims to facilitate access to recovery help under the California Disaster Assistance Act and expedite state resources and relief programs. The primary concern is the health and safety of residents impacted by the smoke and potential hazardous materials.
Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore noted that while hazardous materials aspects of the fire have been managed, the presence of 85 million pounds of frozen food inside the facility presents a biohazard challenge. Zero visibility and the layout of the building make it extremely difficult for firefighters to access and move pallets.
Lineage Logistics has pledged $2 million to the California Community Foundation to support affected community members. They are also providing air purifiers, food, and other resources. The company stated that they proactively removed ammonia from the site and confirmed no measurable ammonia concentrations have been recorded in the community since the incident began.
