A devastating fire, a smoke-filled sky, and concerns about a hazardous chemical threatening public health defined a tense day in Los Angeles, specifically in the Boyle Heights neighborhood.
The fire broke out shortly after 2:30 p.m. at a nearly 500,000 square foot cold storage facility located at 1400 S. Los Palos Street and owned by Lineage Logistics. The warehouse is used to store and transport frozen and temperature-controlled goods and contains approximately 491,000 square feet of storage space.
Authorities issued a shelter in place order for an area stretching from south of the 101 Freeway to Washington Boulevard and from Soto Street to Indiana Street.
“Get inside immediately and close all windows and doors,” fire officials said in an emergency alert. “Turn off air conditioning and heating systems. Bring all people and pets into an interior room and close all vents until you receive further instructions.”
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore urged residents to follow the order but stated that the ammonia leak was not considered toxic to most individuals unless they had respiratory conditions or came into direct contact with the chemical.
That assessment drew criticism from environmental advocates.
Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics, argued that officials were minimizing the danger. She noted that the facility is one of the largest cold storage warehouses in California and likely contains substantial quantities of ammonia.
“If this was Beverly Hills, they would be evacuating people, not telling them to shelter in place,” Williams told the Los Angeles Times. “Anhydrous ammonia is highly toxic and explosive.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, anhydrous ammonia is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. High levels of exposure can cause choking, severe burns, and even death.
By Wednesday evening, Los Angeles fire officials reported that crews had gained control of the massive blaze and were working to extinguish flames burning on the roof while managing the ammonia leak.
The incident has also renewed scrutiny of Lineage Logistics. In 2023, the company agreed to pay a fine to the Environmental Protection Agency over allegations that its facility in Altoona, Iowa, failed to comply with chemical risk management requirements related to more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia stored on site.
The Boyle Heights warehouse was also the site of a smaller fire in August 2024. In that incident, firefighters quickly contained flames involving rooftop solar panels, bringing the fire under control in less than an hour with no reported injuries.
Another major fire occurred at a Lineage Logistics warehouse in Finley, Washington, in April 2024. That blaze completely destroyed the facility and raised health concerns among nearby residents.
Potential Health Effects of Ammonia Exposure
Exposure to ammonia can cause a wide range of health effects depending on the concentration, duration of exposure, and whether the chemical is inhaled or comes into contact with the skin or eyes.
Common symptoms at lower concentrations include:
Burning or irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
Coughing
Runny nose
Headaches
Nausea
Dizziness
Higher concentrations can cause:
Severe breathing difficulties
Wheezing and chest pain
Swelling of the airways and lungs
Chemical burns to the eyes and skin
Temporary or permanent vision damage
Lung injury, including fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
