Shelter-in-place ordered after fire at Boyle Heights commercial building

A fire broke out shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at a cold-storage facility on South Los Palos Street in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. The blaze, which involved solar panels on the building, initially was tackled by Los Angeles Fire Department crews in an offensive mode, but later intensified, forcing firefighters to adopt a defensive stance.

The department issued a shelter-in-place order for the area bounded by Holabird Avenue to the north, the Golden State Freeway (I-5) to the south, Soto Street to the east and South Indiana Street to the west. Residents were instructed to stay indoors, close windows and doors, turn off air-conditioning units and keep pets inside. An advisory extended to surrounding neighborhoods.

Two water-dropping helicopters were deployed to assist with suppression, and the Los Angeles Police Department placed units on tactical alert. While nearby freeways remained open, traffic was slowed, and officials asked drivers to avoid non-essential travel to the vicinity. No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.