Shelter-in-place order issued due to Boyle Heights commercial building fire
A shelter-in-place order was issued Wednesday afternoon after a fire broke out at a commercial building in Boyle Heights, sending a large smoke plume over the area near downtown Los Angeles.
The fire was reported at about 2:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street on the roof of the single-story, nearly 480,000-square-foot Lineage cold food storage facility, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
"There is a field of solar panels on the roof. That's really where the fire was. It was a surface fire on the solar panels," LAFD Chief Jaime Moore told NBCLA.
Thick, black smoke rising from the roof could be seen for miles around. At one point, firefighters were called off the roof, but video from NewsChopper4 showed LAFD personnel on top of the building as flames neared one end of the structure. Several ladder trucks were spraying water on the roof.
Crews quickly put out the bulk of the flames — contained to the roof and solar panel system — with the help from three water-dropping helicopters, which are typically used for wildland fires, not building fires.
An LAFD spokesperson said during a news conference that the blaze reached an ammonia line, forcing the shelter-in-place order. The ammonia leak was contained by shutting valves, and testing of smoke and water runoff showed normal levels, according to the fire department. Officials added that the chemical is not considered dangerous, except for those with respiratory issues.
The shelter-in-place order remained in effect for areas near the fire, including south of the 101 Freeway to Washington Boulevard and east of Soto Street to Indiana Street. Residents and businesses were advised to close windows and doors.
Surrounding communities, mostly to the east, were under a smoke advisory. Moore said the order was not expected to expand.
A map of the areas under a shelter-in-place order (red) and a smoke advisory (blue) as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
The city of San Gabriel also recommended that residents shelter in place but said there was no threat to the city as of Wednesday afternoon.
Although the power was shut down, fire officials said the situation remained challenging for crews since solar panels still conduct electricity.
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a city-wide tactical alert amid the fire. A tactical alert amplifies the number of available officers for things like traffic control, road closures and evacuations, by telling those on duty that they are not permitted to leave until notified.
"It allows us to quickly redistribute personnel between different divisions, and move those resources to manage major emergencies, like we see today with this fire," LAPD Capt. Mike Bland told NBCLA. "It provides us the opportunity to maintain optimal resources in order to handle emergencies in an area but also maintain police services throughout the city."
Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore gives details on the shelter-in-place for Boyle Heights residents affected by a commercial fire. This video was broadcast on the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
About 70 people were evacuated on two streets but the area was expected to be repopulated shortly, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said just before 7 p.m.
There were no immediate reports of injuries. Details about a cause of the fire were not immediately available.
A spokesperson from Lineage sent NBCLA the following statement on Wednesday evening:
"Lineage’s top priority is the health and safety of our employees, partners, and the communities in which we live and operate. We are aware of the incident and are working closely with local officials and first responder teams to assess the situation and provide support. This is an evolving matter, and we will provide updates as appropriate."
The sky in downtown Los Angeles after a fire broke out at a commercial building in Boyle Heights on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
More than 130 LAFD firefighters have been assigned to this incident. The Los Angeles County Fire Department said it is assisting the LAFD.
In August 2024, firefighters responded to a solar panel fire on the roof of the same building, built in 2018. According to LAFD, that fire was extinguished in 48 minutes.