LA crews move into overhaul phase after fire at Boyle Heights cold storage facility was knocked down
Firefighters have moved into the overhaul phase of operations at a Boyle Heights cold storage facility after a fire that had been burning for more than a week was finally knocked down on Wednesday afternoon.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said they were able to finally achieve a knockdown just before 6 p.m., meaning there were no active flames and no threat of fire spreading. But crews said firefighting apparatus will remain in the area as they continue to deal with smoldering areas and debris.
"Firefighters will continue applying water throughout the structure to ensure complete extinguishment," the LAFD said. "Drones equipped with infrared (IR) cameras remain in operation, identifying hidden heat sources and allowing crews to direct high-volume water streams precisely where needed."
The fire that erupted at a 500,000-square-foot Lineage Big Bear cold storage facility at 1400 S. Los Palos Street last week has created health hazards in the community. Residents have had to deal with thick smoke filling the area for several days.
"Our hope is finally, by the end of this week, to turn over to the tenant ... right now, we are on track to do just that," said LAFD Capt. Anthony Tubbs.
On Saturday, a few days after the fire had started, Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Boyle Heights, enabling state resources to be used.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ratified a local emergency proclamation as well to expand community support, environmental monitoring and business recovery assistance. The emergency proclamation was declared by Supervisor Hilda Solis, who said that thousands of air purifiers and masks have been distributed to residents impacted by fire and smoke.
In an update Tuesday evening, the LAFD said smoke conditions have improved significantly and residents in the nearby area should expect better air quality in the days to come. LAFD Capt. Jacob Raabe warned residents that some smoke could remain in the area through the week, even after the blaze was extinguished.
The LAFD will be working with private contractors to remove the food stored inside the building. Raabe described the building as a massive "ice chest," and said there's more than 85 million pounds of food inside, and some has already burned or spoiled.
Although the official cause of the fire has not been determined, Lineage, the building's tenant and operator said that the fire may have originated from work being performed by a third-party contractor handling solar panels on the roof.
"Lineage is the tenant-operator of this building," the company said in a statement. "At this time, we believe the fire began while testing was being conducted by contractors of the third-party owner of the solar array located on the facility's roof. This facility is not used for the storage of hazardous materials. It primarily serves as a temperature-controlled storage facility for frozen food before it makes its way to Greater Los Angeles area communities and beyond. Our understanding from LAFD and AQMD is that there have been no measurable ammonia concentrations recorded in the community since the fire started. Additionally, Lineage has proactively taken additional steps to pump out the ammonia and transport it offsite, removing the possibility of ammonia posing a risk to the community. This facility and the supply chain it connects with employ hundreds of local jobs. We are grateful that no team members at the facility were harmed."
On Monday, Lineage told CBS LA that the building is owned by Chill Build Los Angeles, LLC, and that the solar array on the building is owned by Los Palos Street Operating, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Altus Power. The building's solar contractor is Pearce, which is a subsidiary of CBRE.
In a statement, Altus said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.
"Our first concern is for the residents of Boyle Heights, everyone affected by this fire, and for the firefighters working to contain it. The cause of the fire where our rooftop solar array is located at the Los Palos Street facility has yet to be determined," the statement said. "We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate."
