Los Angeles declares emergency as multi-day warehouse fire rages in Boyle Heights

Los Angeles officials declared a state of emergency on Saturday after a warehouse fire in the Boyle Heights neighborhood continued for four days. The blaze began on Wednesday in a 500,000-square-foot commercial building that stores about 85 million pounds of frozen food, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jamie Moore.

Lineage Logistics, which operates the facility, said the fire likely started while third-party contractors were testing a solar array on the roof. The structure’s corrugated steel walls contain dense foam that burns slowly, creating deep pockets of smoldering fire beneath debris and solar panels, LAFD Chief Deputy Jon O’Brien said.

Firefighters have employed water-dropping helicopters and heavy equipment to reach the hard-to-access areas. The emergency declaration activates the city’s response framework, directing agencies to assess damage, request state assistance, and support cleanup, environmental monitoring, and community recovery. The state has not yet issued its own emergency declaration.

Air-quality officials warned that smoke and fine particles could irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and exacerbate heart and lung conditions. County Health Officer Muntu Davis advised people with respiratory sensitivities to stay indoors, wear well-fitting N95 or P100 masks, and sign up for emergency alerts.

Authorities also considered the risk of lithium-ion batteries on site. While they could not confirm the presence of batteries linked to the solar system, the building houses about 60 lithium-ion-powered forklifts. LAFD Battalion Chief Nicholas Ferrari said 56 of the forklifts were moved or isolated from the fire to reduce the hazard.