Los Angeles warehouse fire prompts emergency declaration

Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency after a fire broke out at a cold‑storage warehouse in Los Angeles. The blaze, which started on Wednesday, ignited thick foam insulation, solar panels on the roof and an ammonia‑based refrigeration system, producing dense smoke that has drifted across much of the metropolitan area.

Fire crews have been using aerial ladders, helicopters and water‑cannon attacks to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures. Officials warned that the smoke could irritate the lungs of children, the elderly and those with pre‑existing respiratory or heart conditions. No injuries have been reported so far. The warehouse, operated by Linage Logistics, stores millions of pounds of frozen food, and investigators are probing whether third‑party contractors testing solar arrays triggered the blaze.

The emergency declaration aims to unlock state resources to protect public health and support firefighting operations as the fire remains difficult to control.