Cause of Boyle Heights warehouse fire believed to be testing conducted by solar contractors: Lineage

"Our office is closely monitoring the fire at the cold storage facility on the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street in Boyle Heights. We know how frightening it is to see heavy smoke in your neighborhood, especially for families, workers, small businesses, and commuters who are trying to understand what is happening and how to stay safe.

Right now, the most important thing is to follow the shelter-in-place order that has been issued because of the smoke. That order applies to the area south of the 101 Freeway to roughly Washington Boulevard, and east of Soto Street to Indiana Street. Residents should stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, avoid unnecessary travel in the area, and follow instructions from first responders.

LAFD and public safety personnel remain on scene, and this is still an active emergency response. We are grateful to the firefighters and emergency crews working to contain the fire and protect the surrounding community. Our office is in communication with LAFD and City partners and will continue sharing timely, accurate updates as more information becomes available."

The Los Angeles Police Department went into tactical alert on Wednesday due to a massive building fire involving solar panels in Boyle Heights.

The blaze began shortly before 2:30 p.m. at a cold storage facility in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street.

A fire sent a massive column of black smoke into the air above the scene and triggered a shelter-in-place order in the area.

An ammonia leak inside the building prompted shelter-in-place orders for a nearby residents and businesses as thick smoke billowed into the air.

The blaze was initially reported to be primarily burning on the solar panels covering the roof of the 491,000-square-foot structure, and crews appeared to quickly get the upper hand on the flames. But crews on scene then reported an ammonia leak in the building's interior, and several small explosions occurred, re-invigorating the flames, which sent a thick plume of black smoke into the air in a plume visible for miles.

An ammonia leak inside the building prompted shelter-in-place orders for a nearby residents and businesses as thick smoke billowed into the air.

A shelter-in-place order was issued for a wide area near the warehouse as dark smoke blanketed the area. The affected area stretched south of 101 Freeway to roughly Washington Boulevard, and east of Soto Street to Indiana Street on the west. Residents were advised to remain indoors, close all windows and doors and turn off air conditioning/heating units.