BOYLE HEIGHTS, CA – A massive commercial building fire involving a field of rooftop solar panels sent a thick plume of black smoke over the downtown Los Angeles area on Wednesday afternoon, triggering a temporary shelter-in-place order.
Rooftops Ablaze at Cold Storage Facility
The fire was reported at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the blaze broke out on the roof of a single-story, 491,000-square-foot Lineage cold food storage facility.
LAFD Chief Jaime Moore confirmed that the fire was a surface blaze localized entirely within a large field of solar panels installed on top of the building.
Smoke Visible For Miles
The intense burning of the solar equipment generated a heavy, dark column of smoke visible throughout the region. Due to weak winds in the area, the smoke column did not dissipate quickly and drifted slowly eastward toward the San Gabriel Valley during the evening hours.
Because of the potential health hazards from the burning panels, local authorities initially issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, advising them to keep windows and doors closed.
Firefighters Face Roof Dangers
At one point during the operation, conditions became too hazardous, forcing commanders to pull firefighters off the roof. Crews later returned to the top of the structure, using several ladder trucks to pour water onto the flames as they approached the edge of the building.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted a few hours later once the smoke began to clear. No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the initial ignition remains under investigation.
