Key Points
- Toxic smoke blankets parts of Los Angeles
- State assistance requested by city
- Firefighters face hazardous conditions
ISLAMABAD: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has declared a local emergency after a massive warehouse fire in the Boyle Heights district continues to burn for several days, sending thick smoke across large parts of the city and raising concerns over public health and environmental risks.
According to reports, the fire broke out on Wednesday at a large cold-storage warehouse near downtown Los Angeles and has proven difficult to extinguish.
Firefighters are facing challenges due to the building’s complex layout, limited visibility inside the structure, and the presence of millions of pounds of stored frozen food, according to Reuters.
Emergency declaration to accelerate recovery
Mayor Bass said the emergency declaration would help the city secure additional state resources. It would also accelerate recovery assistance under California’s disaster relief framework.
The city and county have also opened relief centres for residents affected by the smoke.
Officials said the warehouse contains approximately 85 million pounds of frozen food, creating significant operational challenges for firefighters.
Authorities reported that concerns about hazardous materials have largely been addressed, but crews are still dealing with biohazard risks and lingering smoke, according to AP News.
The blaze has generated large plumes of smoke that spread across the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The grave situation has prompted health advisories and earlier shelter-in-place orders for nearby communities.
Emergency advice for residents
Residents were urged to remain indoors, close doors and windows, and switch off air-conditioning systems to reduce exposure to potentially hazardous air.
Firefighters initially faced additional dangers after an ammonia line at the cold-storage facility was compromised, releasing toxic gas and forcing crews to adjust their firefighting strategy.
Helicopters were deployed to conduct aerial water drops as conditions on the roof became too dangerous for ground personnel, according to The Guardian.
Mayor Bass said the city’s immediate priority is to protect public health and prevent a broader environmental crisis by ensuring the safe removal and disposal of hazardous materials from the site.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
