Fire Origin and Cause

A warehouse fire in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles has led to the declaration of a state of emergency. The tenant-operator, Lineage Logistics, suspects the fire started during tests of the solar array by third-party contractors.

State of Emergency Details

The emergency declaration mobilizes the city’s emergency response framework. It requires departments to evaluate damages and costs. It also requests state aid for firefighting, cleanup, environmental monitoring, and community recovery. As of the weekend, the state has not declared its own emergency.

Challenges in Firefighting

Since starting on Wednesday, the fire in this 500,000-square-foot facility has continued for days. The building, which stores 85 million pounds of frozen food, has corrugated steel walls filled with dense foam. These elements burn slowly and release gases, complicating firefighting efforts, even with helicopter water drops.

Firefighters face difficulty due to deep pockets of smoldering fire under debris and solar panels, according to LAFD Chief Deputy Jon O’Brien. The size of the building and inaccessible flames necessitate innovative firefighting methods, including helicopters and heavy equipment.

Air Quality and Health Concerns

Chief Moore advises those with lung issues or smoke sensitivity to limit outdoor activities. Hazardous materials are being managed, though concerns about spoiled food remain. L.A. County Health Officer Muntu Davis points to smoke and fine particles as primary health risks, urging sensitive individuals to use N95 or P100 masks and register at alertla.org for emergency notifications.

Lithium-Ion Battery Risks

The warehouse possibly stores lithium-ion batteries, often used with solar panels. While confirmation is pending, about 60 lithium-ion powered forklifts are present. Battalion Chief Nicholas Ferrari reported that 56 forklifts were relocated or isolated from flames, reducing immediate battery risks.