As firefighters continue to battle a stubborn and complex blaze at a frozen storage facility in Boyle Heights, residents and business owners expressed frustration and health concerns as neighbors were engulfed in smoke.
Inside Jim's Burgers, not far from the burning warehouse, restaurant owner Manuel Orozco and his staff wore face masks as they tried to stay busy in the empty restaurant.
“No one is coming and it's because of the smoke,” he said on Tuesday. “It's been a difficult time.”
Orozco estimated that the nearby fire caused sales to drop by 70% last week. He said at least two workers could not enter because of health problems such as high blood pressure and asthma.
A fire at a cold storage facility has been burning for more than a week and has prompted local and state officials to declare a state of emergency.
In a written statement, Lineage, formerly known as Lineage Logistics, said it believed the fire started while third-party contractors were inspecting the solar panels on the roof.
Firefighters say they suspect the fire started on the roof. State officials said on Tuesday that they have started an investigation into the incident.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said fighting the fire was a big challenge. He said the 500,000 square meter commercial building, which stores 85 million kilograms of frozen food, is like a giant iceberg. Inside, fire officials said, the corrugated iron walls are filled with dense foam that burns slowly and emits gases despite constant water drops from helicopters.
Firefighters were unable to enter the building due to large sections of the roof collapsing and sitting on steel bars, which are about 50 feet long and 600 feet long, making it unsafe for firefighters, according to fire officials.
Firefighters also couldn't fight much on the roof because of the solar panels that put the integrity of the building at risk. The solar panels were generating power until recently when firefighters cut off the power.
Manuel Orozco, owner of Jim's Burgers on East Olympic Boulevard and South Indiana Street, says his business was really affected by the fire at the Lineage cold storage facility.
(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
The smoke from the fire, which has caused a smoke advisory, has entered the communities surrounding this region, affecting many residents who live near the store.
Legal focus includes disaster relief, compensation
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved its local emergency declaration to expedite access to federal and state services, support ongoing response and recovery efforts, and help secure disaster relief for affected communities.
The board also approved a proposal directing county agencies to continue health monitoring, environmental testing, and community support efforts.
The proposal, introduced by Board Chair Hilda Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, also directed the district to work with city and county partners to investigate the incident, pursue potential enforcement actions and explore ways to compensate affected residents and businesses.
Addressing the issue, Hahn also asked the county to look into establishing a number of emergency air purifiers and other essential items to better prepare for future disasters. The feasibility study was completed in 30 days.
In a separate move, Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, whose district includes Boyle Heights, presented three proposals at Tuesday's LA City Council meeting. Another proposal, which is expected to go before the City Council later this week, aims to provide money to neighborhood councils for air purifiers, air filters and personal protective equipment.
The second move directs the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to increase DASH service for the Boyle Heights and East LA routes. The third directs the Los Angeles Fire Department to create a report detailing the cause of the fire, the facility's compliance history and the oversight procedures of similar facilities. No action is expected on the latter two at this time.
Jurado said the package of proposals is an effort to support the citizens and get answers about what led to the ongoing disaster.
The streets near the Lineage cold storage facility were covered in smoke on Monday.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
“For nearly a week, families in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles have been living with smoke, odors, ash, disrupted habits, and serious concerns about what this means for their health and well-being,” he said during Tuesday's City Council meeting. “Parents have been worried about their children, adults have been wondering if it is safe to leave their homes.
“People are tired, they are worried, and they have to get answers,” he added.
As the fire continued Tuesday, smoke continued to billow over East Los Angeles.
The smoke invades their businesses, even their sleep
Inside MV Automotive at East Olympic Boulevard and Alma Avenue, Mr. Manny Villasenor, whose father owns the mechanic shop, said the smoke forced him to close early. You use the fans in the ports on the mechanics. He said at least one worker with asthma was told to stay home.
Cristina Medrano, owner of Kassandra's Beauty Salon, said the smoke forced her to cancel several appointments, including four on June 17, when the fire broke out.
He and another employee wear masks inside the store and keep the doors closed at all times. Smoke means fewer customers and reduced shopping hours; it closed completely in two days, he said.
“It was frustrating,” she said. “I thought it would be a one-day thing or a few hours, but now, I don't know how many more days.”
Medrano said he worries about the long-term effects of the smoke on him and his family.
“Even with the doors closed, you can smell it,” he said.
He said the smoke was attacking him so much that he could smell it when he was sleeping.
Orozco, who owns Jim's Burgers, said he is also concerned about the health effects on his wife and two children.
He started his business more than 20 years ago, he said he has faced many challenges. The introduction of food delivery services and the pandemic has led to a decline in foot traffic. Then, the ongoing immigration activities in the city have also driven people away. Street vendors offer low prices compared to his, which has been hit by inflation. Now, the fire brought another blow.
Still, Orozco remains optimistic.
He said: “Life is not always bad. It will get better.”
Times photographer Myung Chun contributed to this report.
