Boyle Heights warehouse fire sparks ammonia leak concerns

Following an eight-day warehouse fire in Boyle Heights in mid-June, questions have emerged regarding the release of anhydrous ammonia from a Lineage Inc. facility. Anhydrous ammonia is a toxic refrigerant used in cold storage that can cause respiratory irritation, lung damage, or death if inhaled in large doses.

During the initial stages of the fire on June 17, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore stated that an ammonia line appeared to be compromised, leading the department to order residents to shelter in place. While Lineage Inc. has denied a leak occurred, claiming the ammonia was removed during the blaze, and Chief Moore later reported that no ammonia was detected in July, recent data contradicts these claims.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has reported ammonia levels at a local elementary school approximately half a mile from the warehouse that significantly exceed average exposure levels for the Los Angeles area. Furthermore, Lineage Inc. website data has indicated high concentrations, including a reading of 13,000 parts per billion near residential homes. The continued detection of the chemical more than a month after the fire has raised concerns regarding its persistence in the air.