Ongoing Fire and Its Impact on Boyle Heights Community and Businesses

Firefighters continue to tackle a persistent and challenging blaze at a large refrigerated warehouse in Boyle Heights. Residents and business owners express frustration and health concerns as smoke engulfs neighborhoods.

In Jim’s Burgers, located near the warehouse, owner Manuel Orozco and his staff wear face masks, trying to keep busy in a mostly vacant diner. “No one is coming due to the smoke,” Orozco said. He estimates a 70% drop in sales over the past week, attributing it to the fire. At least two employees have health issues preventing them from working, such as high blood pressure and asthma.

The fire at the cold storage facility has been burning for over a week. This has led to local and state officials declaring a state of emergency. In a statement, Lineage, the building’s tenant-operator, mentioned that third-party contractors testing the roof’s solar array may have initiated the fire. State regulators announced an investigation on Tuesday.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore described the battle against the fire as extremely difficult. The 500,000-square-foot building, housing 85 million pounds of frozen food, acts like a vast cooler. Inside, dense foam-filled corrugated steel walls continue to burn slowly, emitting gases despite helicopter water drops.

Entering the building remains impossible for firefighters due to collapsed roof portions resting on tall steel racks, approximately 50 feet high and 600 feet long. Additionally, solar panels on the roof restrict firefighting efforts, posing risks to the building’s integrity. Recent cuts to the solar panels’ power have reduced this risk.

The smoke has affected neighboring communities, prompting smoke advisories and concerns from residents.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors ratified a local emergency proclamation to hasten access to state and federal resources. This aims to support ongoing response and recovery, securing disaster assistance for affected areas. The board approved a motion for continued health monitoring and environmental assessments by county agencies. Introduced by Board Chair Hilda Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, this motion directs collaboration with city and state partners to investigate the incident, explore possible enforcement actions, and consider compensation for residents and businesses impacted by the fire.

Hahn suggests assessing the potential for an emergency stockpile of air purifiers and essential supplies in preparation for future disasters. A feasibility study is expected in 30 days.

In separate actions, Councilmember Ysabel Jurado introduced three motions at an L.A. City Council meeting on Tuesday. One motion proposes funding for Neighborhood Councils to provide air purifiers, filters, and protective equipment. Another directs increasing DASH service for Boyle Heights and East L.A. Yet another directs the Los Angeles Fire Department to report the fire’s cause, the facility’s compliance history, and oversight protocols for similar facilities.

Jurado emphasized the aim to support residents and find answers for the persistent issues caused by the fire. “Families in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles have endured smoke, odors, ash, and disruptions, raising health concerns,” she said. Locals like parents worry for their children, seniors question their safety, and workers face commuting challenges amid the smoke.

Inside MV Automotive, the smoke has forced owner Manny Villasenor to close early, employing fans for the mechanics. One worker with asthma was advised to stay home. Similarly, Cristina Medrano of Kassandra’s Beauty Salon had to cancel appointments and wear masks indoors due to the heavy smoke. Despite closed doors, the smoke can still be detected, disrupting business hours and causing concern over long-term health effects.

Orozco, of Jim’s Burgers, also worries about his family’s health. Despite challenges from the pandemic, federal immigration operations, and competitive pricing from street vendors, he maintains optimism for better times ahead.