Los Angeles Warehouse Fire Prompts Shelter-in-Place Orders Due to Hazardous Air

Los Angeles — A warehouse fire in the Boyle Heights neighborhood sent large plumes of dark smoke into the sky Wednesday afternoon after Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded at about 2:30 p.m. The blaze, visible from downtown, prompted authorities to issue shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents and businesses as smoke spread. Officials issued a hazardous-materials alert shortly after the response, instructing residents to close windows, doors and vents, turn off air conditioning, and move people and pets to interior rooms. LAFD spokesperson Jennifer Middleton said concern the fire had reached an ammonia line dissipated; firefighters extinguished the roof blaze by late afternoon and entered to assess the interior.