Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency to tackle a significant warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. The decision aims to secure necessary resources to combat the blaze effectively.
“The city and county have opened areas for those seeking shelter from smoke. We are working relentlessly to extinguish the fire,” Bass stated in a news release.
The fire erupted Wednesday at a cold-storage warehouse, leading to shelter-in-place orders due to hazardous air. Residents were instructed to close windows, doors, and vents, turn off air conditioners, and stay indoors with pets.
Fire Chief Jaime Moore outlined the challenges during a news conference. “We’ve addressed the hazardous materials and now face biohazard issues,” he said. The warehouse contains 85 million pounds of frozen food, causing visibility and access issues for firefighters.
Bass’s emergency declaration seeks assistance through the California Disaster Assistance Act. She requested expedited state resources and relief programs.
“Our main priority is safeguarding the health and safety of affected residents,” Bass explained. The focus is on safely removing toxic materials to prevent environmental harm. “This is about prevention,” she emphasized. “This is about protecting your public health.”
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