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BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A massive fire involving solar panels erupted Wednesday afternoon on a commercial building in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles, sending a black column of smoke into the air above the scene.
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The inferno began shortly before 2:30 p.m. at a cold storage facility in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters were initially in offensive mode and for a time seemed to have gotten the upper hand on the flames. But then the blaze flared up in a major way, sending the firefighters into defensive mode.
“All units were called off the roof and out of the interior,” the LAFD said in a statement.
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A shelter-in-place order was issued for the immediate area surrounding the building due to hazardous materials. City officials are asking everyone who lives in those areas to get inside immediately and close all windows and doors. They also advise to turn off air conditioning units and bring all pets indoors.
At least two water-dropping helicopters were responding to the scene to help put out the blaze. The Los Angeles Police Department has reportedly gone on tactical alert due to this fire.
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All nearby freeways remain open, but traffic is flowing slowly.
No injuries have been reported.