Large fire burns cold storage facility in Los Angeles

A large fire broke out at a cold storage facility in Los Angeles, sending heavy smoke across parts of the city while nearby areas were placed under a shelter-in-place order, according to fire officials.

The fire was reported at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday at a single-story commercial building in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street in Boyle Heights, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). First-arriving firefighters found fire showing from the roof of a building described as about 1,000 feet by 500 feet.

Firefighters initially worked inside the building and on the roof, but crews were later ordered out as the operation shifted to a defensive attack, the department said.

The building was identified on local broadcast footage as a Lineage cold storage facility. Video from the scene showed flames and heavy black smoke coming from the roof, with solar panels burning on top of the facility.

Helicopters were seen dropping water on the structure as firefighters continued working to contain the fire. A large smoke plume could be seen spreading across the area.

LAFD issued a shelter-in-place order for areas east of Genasys LFD Zone 1279 because of the heavy smoke. Officials urged people with health concerns to go indoors, close doors and windows, limit outdoor activity and reduce exposure to outside air.

No injuries were immediately reported. The cause of the fire is unknown.