State Emergency Declared as Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire Continues

Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in response to the prolonged fire at a large Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse. The fire began June 17 on a roof covered with solar panels and was complicated by a ruptured ammonia line, hazardous smoke, structural instability, and burning material inside the facility. Reports indicate that the fire reignited on June 19. Nearby residents were instructed to shelter indoors, and smoke-relief centers were opened. News reports quote LA Fire Department Chief Jamie Moore as saying crews had “mitigated hazardous materials at the site.” However, controlling an immediate hazardous-material release is not the same as fully characterizing and removing contamination or determining that a building is safe to reoccupy. Experience from the Eaton and Palisades fires shows that contaminated building systems, insulation, surfaces, and contents can require weeks or months of testing, removal, specialized abatement, and clearance assessment before a fire-affected property can be considered safe.

EFRU recommends that Eaton-area residents and residents of other affected communities monitor air-quality conditions and limit outdoor activity when smoke or odors are present. EFRU is deeply concerned that the hazardous smoke, chemical releases, and fire debris generated by this prolonged incident could have significant health and environmental impacts on the Boyle Heights neighborhood and its surrounding communities. Impacted residents deserve comprehensive air, soil, surface, and interior testing; transparent public reporting; and continued monitoring to identify contamination and protect public health.
KTLA 5 |  LA Times