Firefighters are tackling a persistent fire at a large refrigerated warehouse in Boyle Heights. This situation has caused concern among residents and business owners, leading to frustration and health worries due to the pervasive smoke.
At Jim’s Burgers, located near the warehouse, owner Manuel Orozco and his employees wear face masks to cope with the smoke. Few customers visit the diner, resulting in a 70% drop in sales over the week. Health concerns like high blood pressure and asthma have prevented some workers from coming in.
The fire has persisted for more than a week, prompting local and state officials to declare a state of emergency. Lineage, the warehouse operator, suggested the fire started during tests on the solar array by third-party contractors. Fire officials indicated it began on the roof, and state regulators have launched an investigation.
Chief Jaime Moore of the Los Angeles Fire Department described the fire as challenging. The 500,000-square-foot building, designed like a large cooler, stores 85 million pounds of frozen food. Fire officials explain that the corrugated steel walls contain dense foam, which continues to burn and emit gases.
Safety concerns prevent firefighters from entering the building, as collapsed roof sections rest on tall steel racks. The roof’s solar panels also limit firefighting efforts, although power to them has been cut off.
Manuel Orozco’s business, Jim’s Burgers, has suffered due to the nearby fire. The smoke advisory issued extends to nearby communities, affecting residents’ health.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ratified an emergency proclamation to expedite access to resources, support recovery efforts, and offer disaster relief. They directed agencies to monitor health, assess environmental impacts, and support affected communities. Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn introduced a motion to investigate the incident and explore compensation for those affected. Hahn suggested creating a stockpile of air purifiers and supplies, with a study expected in 30 days.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, representing Boyle Heights, proposed three motions at the City Council. One motion seeks funding for air purifiers and protective gear for Neighborhood Councils. Another aims to increase DASH service, and the third requests a report on the fire’s cause, compliance history, and oversight protocols.
Jurado stated that community members have experienced smoke-related disruptions and concerns about health. Families, seniors, commuters, and small businesses are all affected, with many seeking answers and assistance.
As smoke continues to affect East Los Angeles, businesses like MV Automotive and Kassandra’s Beauty Salon face challenges. Workers with asthma are advised to stay home, and businesses close earlier or cancel appointments. Beauty salon owner Cristina Medrano reported canceling appointments due to the smoke, impacting her operations.
Orozco, who has run Jim’s Burgers for over 20 years, noted challenges such as food delivery services, federal immigration operations, and competition from street vendors. Despite these setbacks, he remains hopeful for improvement.