Firefighters are tackling a persistent fire at a large refrigerated warehouse in Boyle Heights. Residents and business owners are voicing frustrations and health concerns due to the smoke affecting neighborhoods.
Inside Jim’s Burgers, which is close to the burning warehouse, owner Manuel Orozco and his team are wearing face masks as smoke keeps diners away. Orozco reported a 70% drop in sales over the past week. Health issues like high blood pressure and asthma have kept at least two of his workers home.
The fire has been raging for over a week, leading local and state officials to declare a state of emergency. Lineage, the tenant-operator of the building, believes the fire started during third-party contractors’ solar array tests on the roof. Fire officials suspect the fire originated there. State regulators are investigating the incident.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore described the firefighting efforts as highly challenging. The 500,000-square-foot facility, storing 85 million pounds of frozen food, behaves like a massive cooler. Inside, corrugated steel walls with dense foam burn slowly, emitting gases even as water drops occur.
Firefighters cannot enter the building due to collapsed roof parts resting on tall steel racks, making it unsafe. Roof access is limited by solar panels that jeopardize structural integrity. The panels were still producing power until firefighters cut it off.
The smoke has spread to surrounding areas, posing problems for many residents. Official efforts focus on disaster assistance and compensation. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has ratified its emergency proclamation to speed access to resources. The board approved a motion to continue health monitoring, environmental assessments, and support efforts.
Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn directed county cooperation with city and state entities to investigate, enforce actions, and explore compensation for affected people. Hahn also suggested an emergency stockpile of air purifiers and critical supplies; a feasibility study will be done in 30 days.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, representing Boyle Heights, introduced motions at an L.A. City Council meeting. One seeks funding for air purifiers and protective gear for Neighborhood Councils. Another directs the Department of Transportation to boost DASH service in affected areas. The third calls for a Fire Department report on the fire’s cause and facility compliance history. These steps aim to support residents and uncover the incident’s details.
Jurado highlighted the struggles facing families in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles due to smoke, odors, ash, and health concerns. Business owners like Manny Villasenor at MV Automotive and Cristina Medrano at Kassandra’s Beauty Salon are dealing with similar challenges. Villasenor closed his shop early, while Medrano canceled appointments and worries about long-term effects.
Orozco has faced numerous challenges over two decades of business, from food delivery competition to federal immigration actions and inflation. He remains hopeful despite the fire’s impact. “Life is not always terrible,” he said. “It will get better.”
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