BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A massive fire involving solar panels erupted Wednesday afternoon on a commercial building in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles, sending a black column of smoke into the air visible for miles.
On Thursday, the LAFD sought to calm widespread concerns about air quality in the Los Angeles area. The roof of the warehouse was still smoldering, and the building hasn't been safe for firefighters to get inside – in part because of harmful smoke.
The inferno began shortly before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at a cold storage facility in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the immediate area surrounding the building.
At least four water-dropping helicopters responded to the scene to help put out the blaze. The Los Angeles Police Department was on tactical alert due to this fire and later went on a modified tactical alert as firefighters got the upperhand.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
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On the day after a massive fire erupted on the roof of a warehouse in Boyle Heights, LAFD Chief Jaime Moore said Thursday that the air at the scene was again safe to breathe.
"We've been monitoring the air throughout this incident, monitoring the smoke columns, we're monitoring downwind," Moore said at a news conference near the cold storage facility that was still smoldering. "We're monitoring in the building, we're monitoring outside the building, and we're getting absolutely no readings of any concern.
The fire chief noted that conditions where he and reporters were standing were "clear as can be. The prevailing winds have blown most of the smoke away."
On Thursday, LAFD spokesperson Jennifer Middleton said there was previous concern over the fire burning an ammonia line, but that danger had "dissipated." The roof blaze had been extinguished by late afternoon and firefighters were entering the building to assess the interior, Middleton said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Although the shelter-in-place order has been lifted in Boyle Heights, concerns over air quality remain as the fire continues to smolder.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a particle pollution advisory that will remain in effect through 10 a.m. Thursday. That impacts areas like East Los Angeles, Montebello, downtown L.A. and portions of the San Gabriel Valley.
People in those areas are advised to limit exposure by staying inside and closing windows and doors and running an air purifier if available.
Meanwhile, crews were still unable to enter the building Thursday morning.
Firefighters will remain on scene of a large building fire in Boyle Heights overnight.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said it won't be declaring a knockdown anytime soon. The building will continue to smolder for the next few hours, according to LAFD.
Crews will work on putting out hot spots and making sure that fire does not spark up again.
LAFD said firefighters still aren't going inside the building because of hazardous gases possibly still in the air and the instability of the roof.
Fire officials added that part of the roof has sunk in but was not immediately at risk of collapse.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said LAPD and the L.A. Fire Department will be working on a joint arson investigation.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Meanwhile, a smoke advisory remains in effect for parts of downtown L.A. and the San Fernando Valley until 10 a.m. Thursday out of an abundance of caution.
A shelter-in-place order has been lifted for Boyle Heights after a massive fire tore through the roof of a warehouse with solar panels, sparking concerns for hazardous materials.
The Los Angeles Fire Department made the announcement just before 9 p.m.
"Although smoke in the area has decreased, individuals with sensitive health issues should continue to monitor the air quality, remain cautious, stay indoors, close all doors and windows to limit exposure to outdoor air," the fire department said in a statement.
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