A state of emergency was declared in Los Angeles due to a massive, days-long fire at a 46,000-square-meter food warehouse that firefighters have been unable to extinguish.
The fire began Wednesday afternoon at a frozen food warehouse in the Boyle Heights neighborhood. Firefighters reported that factors such as burning foam insulation, the risk of ammonia leakage, and melting solar panels complicated efforts to battle the blaze.
Emergency Declaration
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the fire as "a major incident" and declared a state of emergency in the city on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Fire Department announced that the smell of smoke from the fire had reached most areas of the city and advised the public to limit exposure to smoke as much as possible.
Public Warnings
At the start of the fire, residents of the Boyle Heights neighborhood where the warehouse is located were asked to stay indoors, close windows, and avoid outdoor air. 24-hour help centers were established for those unable to evacuate.
Fire officials later lifted those orders, stating the smoke was not toxic and was no different from that of normal building fires. Air quality authorities warned residents in affected areas to avoid outdoor activities.
City Councilmember Isabel Hurado, representing the area where the fire occurred, expressed Boyle Heights residents' concerns about long-term health effects. Hurado said, "Residents have been exposed for days to smoke, to stay-at-home orders, to disruption of daily life, and are continually asking questions about its impact on their health and safety.
The fire is largely contained within the warehouse but continues to burn, filling the air with the smell of burnt plastic.
