A dramatic fire that rapidly spread across solar panels erupted at a cold-storage facility in Los Angeles, sending massive amounts of smoke into the air on Wednesday afternoon.
The inferno was reported a bit after 2:30 p.m. in the Boyle Heights area in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters initially appeared to have the upper hand on the flames, but a reported ammonia leak and small explosions, re-ignited the flames.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for areas near the fire due to hazardous materials. Residents were advised to close windows and doors.
“All units were called off the roof and out of the interior,” the LAFD said in a statement to ABC7. A shelter-in-place order was later issued for surrounding areas.
The shelter-in-place orders includes: North of Holabird Avenue, South of the Golden State (5) Freeway, East of Soto Street, and the West of South Indiana Street.
Firefighters poured water onto the building after the intensity of the flames and the ammonia leak forced them to pull back. Crews also called for water-dropping helicopters to help put out the fire.
No injuries have been reported and the source of the fire is yet unclear.
