A significant fire at a Boyle Heights warehouse was extinguished Wednesday evening, leaving residents in several Eastside neighborhoods concerned about air quality and potential health risks stemming from an ammonia leak during the blaze.
The fire, which originated on the roof of a cold storage facility at 1400 S. Los Palos St., escalated when flames reached an ammonia line. This incident resulted in off-gassing and several small explosions, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). LAFD Fire Chief Jaime Moore stated that the ammonia leak posed no significant toxic risk to the general public unless individuals had pre-existing respiratory conditions or experienced direct contact with the substance.
Anhydrous ammonia, a widely used industrial refrigerant, is a regulated toxic substance known to be corrosive to skin, eyes, and lungs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), high levels of exposure can lead to severe consequences, including choking, burns, and death. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the fire.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for an area extending from south of the 101 Freeway to Washington Boulevard, and from Soto Street to Indiana Street. Residents were advised to remain indoors, ensuring all vents were closed and air conditioning systems were shut off. This order was lifted Wednesday night. Concurrently, a smoke advisory was issued for a large portion of East Los Angeles, urging the public to limit outdoor activities and advising individuals with health issues to stay inside.
An air quality advisory remains in effect east of downtown Los Angeles and in parts of the San Gabriel Valley until 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). The AQMD deployed a mobile air monitor to assess metal levels in the plume's path. While elevated levels of particulate matter were recorded near the fire site on Wednesday afternoon, these diminished downwind as the smoke dissipated. The AQMD did not report any elevated ammonia levels in the air on Wednesday.
The fire ignited shortly after 2:30 p.m. at the nearly 500,000-square-foot warehouse owned by Lineage Logistics, a company specializing in cold storage and blast freezing. Lineage Logistics has faced previous scrutiny regarding safety regulations for anhydrous ammonia. In 2023, the company was fined by the EPA for management practices concerning over 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at its Iowa facility. This Boyle Heights warehouse also experienced a fire in August 2024, which was contained to the solar panels on the roof with no injuries reported.
