Cause of the Fire
Lineage Logistics, the tenant-operator of the affected warehouse in Boyle Heights, suggested that the fire started during testing of the solar array on the roof conducted by third-party contractors. This is under investigation to confirm the exact origin.
State of Emergency Implications
Declaring a state of emergency activates the city’s emergency response structure. It requires departments to assess damages and costs and requests state assistance with firefighting, cleanup, environmental monitoring, and community recovery. As of now, the state has not declared an emergency.
Challenges in Extinguishing the Fire
The fire began on Wednesday and has persisted over several days. It involves a 500,000-square-foot commercial building that stores 85 million pounds of frozen food. The facility functions similarly to a colossal cooler, as described by Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jamie Moore.
The building’s construction, with corrugated steel walls filled with dense foam, presents a challenge. This material burns slowly and emits gases despite efforts to suppress the fire with water drops from helicopters. LAFD Chief Deputy Jon O’Brien mentioned deep pockets of smoldering fire remain buried under structural debris and solar panels.
The size of the building and the fire’s location in hard-to-reach areas necessitate innovative firefighting approaches, including water-dropping helicopters and heavy equipment.
Air Quality and Health Impacts
The fire poses health risks, particularly to individuals with lung issues or smoke sensitivity. Chief Moore advised avoiding outdoor activities due to mitigated hazardous materials on site. The potential biohazard from spoiled food remains a concern.
L.A. County Health Officer Muntu Davis emphasized that smoke and fine particles can irritate the ear, nose, throat, and lungs, worsening heart and lung conditions. Sensitive individuals should wear well-fitting N95 and P100 masks and register for emergency notifications at alertla.org.
Battery Risk Concerns
There is a potential risk from lithium-ion batteries in the building. These batteries often store energy from solar panels, though confirmation about their presence is ongoing. The building contains about 60 forklifts powered by lithium-ion batteries, which remain unburned.
LAFD Battalion Chief Nicholas Ferrari noted that a dangerous operation moved 56 out of the 60 forklifts to mitigate the battery threat, isolating them from the flames.