Los Angeles Declares Emergency as Giant Warehouse Fire Threatens Catastrophe

Los Angeles and the state of California have declared a state of emergency as a colossal fire rages in a cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights. Four days after the blaze ignited, the inferno, involving 38,000 tons of decomposing food, threatens an environmental and health catastrophe. A toxic plume hangs over the city, exposing millions to hazardous air pollution exceeding alert levels.

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a giant refrigerator

The fire started shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, in a 45,000-square-meter cold storage facility operated by Lineage Logistics. Investigators believe the fire began on the solar panels covering the roof before spreading. An ammonia leak forced firefighters into a defensive posture.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore described the building as a "giant refrigerator." Constructed with corrugated steel and dense insulating foam, it presents a formidable challenge for rescue teams. While the roof was contained within six hours, the fire reignited Thursday due to a wind shift. Firefighters struggle to make progress inside, facing "zero visibility." "Our firefighters simply cannot get inside and start moving pallets," Moore stated.

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We have zero visibility inside. Our firefighters simply cannot get inside and start moving pallets

The primary concern is an imminent health and environmental disaster. The warehouse held approximately 38,000 tons of frozen goods, with much of it now thawing and rotting. Initially thought to be mostly bakery products, Chief Moore confirmed the facility also contained "a lot of meat products," including chicken, beef, pork, and fish. Authorities are still determining how to safely enter the structure to remove and dispose of the spoiled food. Lineage Logistics stated the warehouse supplies food to about ten million people in the region. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

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a lot of meat products