Lineage Warehouse Fire Spreads 6 Days of Toxic Smoke as Evacuation Criticism Grows
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 23
Lineage Warehouse Fire Spreads 6 Days of Toxic Smoke as Evacuation Criticism Grows
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 23
Summary
Six days of smoke from the Boyle Heights Lineage Logistics warehouse fire have blanketed southeast Los Angeles County and the San Gabriel Valley, prompting shelters and cancellation of some LAUSD summer programs.
Health experts said prolonged exposure raises risks from soot, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and other gases released by burning insulation, plastics and paint, with children and pregnant women especially vulnerable.
LAFD Chief Jaime Moore and Mayor Karen Bass said conditions did not warrant mandatory evacuations, but community advocates argued officials downplayed the danger and should have moved more residents.
The 500,000-square-foot cold-storage facility held 85 million pounds of frozen food, and its freezer-style insulation and damaged roof have made the blaze hard to access and keep toxic smoke drifting for nearly a week.