Boyle Heights, Los Angeles — Thick black smoke poured from a massive cold storage warehouse as flames consumed the roof of the industrial building. Los Angeles County Fire Department crews assisted the Los Angeles Fire Department in fighting the blaze, which began in solar panels installed on the roof.

Firefighters initially made progress against the fire, but conditions changed dramatically when a flammable gas line ruptured. The sudden escalation caused such rapid fire growth that crews were forced to leave the roof and move into defensive positions.

As the fire intensified, helicopters carried out repeated water drops onto the roof to reduce the extreme heat and help stop the fire from spreading further.

The incident occurred at the 1,000-by-500-foot facility in Boyle Heights on June 18, 2026. The coordinated response eventually brought the fire under control.

No major injuries were reported. The fire highlighted the challenges firefighters face when battling incidents involving solar infrastructure and hazardous materials in densely developed industrial areas.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download