Shelter-in-place orders were issued in Boyle Heights on Wednesday afternoon as firefighters worked to combat a massive blaze burning solar panels on the roof of a storage facility and sending a thick plume of black smoke into the sky.
At least 80 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, including hazardous materials teams, were deployed to the conflagration at 1400 S. Los Palos St., according to a department spokesperson.
A shelter-in-place order was issued in areas east of the blaze due to the heavy smoke being generated, according to the LAFD. Residents in the affected area — extending roughly from south of the 101 Freeway to Washington Boulevard, and east of Soto Street to Indiana Street — were warned of “hazardous materials nearby.”
“Get inside IMMEDIATELY and close all windows and doors,” fire officials said in an alert. “Turn off air conditioning/heating. Bring all people and pets to an inside room and close all vents until you receive more instructions.”
A smoke advisory was issued in a broad swath of East Los Angeles, with members of the public urged to limit outdoor exercise and those with health issues to go indoors.
Crews responded to the incident 2:35 p.m. when they took an offensive position battling the fire atop a 1,000-by-500-foot commercial building, according to the LAFD. Within the hour, all firefighters were called off the roof and out of the building as the situation grew more dangerous and crews transitions to a defensive posture.
The building is owned by Lineage Logistics and provides cold storage and blast freezing inside 491,000 square feet of warehouse space, according to its website. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Helicopter footage captured by KTLA News showed crews spraying water at the roof from a distance as a thick black layer of smoke rose from the burning portion of the building and extended high into the air above. A firefighting helicopter was also being used to drop water on the structure from above.
L.A. City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents Boyle Heights, said her office was closely monitoring the fire and is grateful to the emergency crews working to control the blaze.
“We know how frightening it is to see heavy smoke in your neighborhood, especially for families, workers, small businesses, and commuters who are trying to understand what is happening and how to stay safe,” she said in a statement.
“Right now, the most important thing is to follow the shelter-in-place order that has been issued because of the smoke.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.