Los Angeles officials ordered residents near Boyle Heights to shelter in place after a large fire broke out on the roof of a massive cold storage warehouse, sending dark smoke and ammonia into the air near downtown.
The fire erupted Wednesday at a 500,000-square-foot cold storage and freezing facility owned by Lineage. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, about 110 firefighters responded to the scene, with both city and county crews involved in the emergency response. Hazmat teams were also deployed because of concerns about ammonia exposure.
Officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. By the time firefighters arrived, flames had spread across solar panels covering the warehouse roof, creating a difficult and potentially dangerous situation for crews.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged people in the affected area to go indoors immediately, close windows and doors, turn off air conditioning, and avoid unnecessary travel nearby. The shelter-in-place order was issued as officials monitored the air and worked to determine whether ammonia or other hazardous materials posed a risk to residents.
TRENDING TODAY
Firefighters initially tried to attack the blaze from the roof using hand lines. However, crews were forced to pull back after an ammonia line was reportedly compromised, causing a large release of pressurized ammonia gas.
Ammonia is commonly used as a refrigerant in cold storage facilities because it is effective and cost-efficient. However, it can be toxic and flammable, making fires at these facilities especially dangerous. Officials warned that people with respiratory issues or other health conditions should take extra precautions and avoid breathing contaminated air.
As the fire grew, firefighters shifted tactics. Because the flames were difficult to reach safely from the roof, helicopters were used to drop water from above. At least three helicopters made multiple water drops while crews kept a safe distance from the most hazardous areas.
Fire officials said the fire was largely contained by the evening, but crews continued to monitor the building. The roof showed signs of sagging, raising concerns about structural stability. The presence of solar panels also added another layer of risk, as officials considered whether the facility may contain lithium-ion batteries used to store solar energy.
Lithium-ion batteries can present major challenges during fires because they may enter a process known as thermal runaway, in which heat spreads rapidly and makes the fire harder to extinguish. Fire officials said battery-related fires can be dangerous not only because of the flames, but also because of the hazardous smoke they can release.
Lineage did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
No immediate cause was announced, and officials said the investigation would continue after the scene was safe. Firefighters and hazmat teams remained focused on containing hazards, protecting nearby residents, and making sure the fire did not spread further.
Why It Matters
The fire matters because it created both a public safety and environmental concern in a dense area near downtown Los Angeles. The combination of ammonia, heavy smoke, solar panels, and possible battery storage made the response more complicated than a typical warehouse fire.
The shelter-in-place order also shows how industrial fires can quickly affect nearby communities, even when the flames are contained to one building.
What Comes Next
Investigators will work to determine what caused the fire and whether the facility’s solar panels, refrigeration system, or other equipment played a role. Officials are also expected to continue air monitoring and structural inspections before the area is fully cleared.
Residents nearby should follow updates from local officials until the shelter-in-place order is lifted and emergency crews confirm the air is safe.
Video shared online shows thick smoke rising from the warehouse fire in Boyle Heights.
WATCH: Massive fire melts hundreds of solar panels on warehouse roof in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/aW8xOyLla4
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) June 17, 2026
