A state of emergency was declared in Los Angeles due to a warehouse fire
Karen Bass, mayor of the second largest city in the United States, described the fire in a statement as "Major accident"
The fire broke out Wednesday afternoon in a 46,400-square-meter frozen food warehouse, where burning foam insulation, a possible ammonia leak and melting solar panels complicated the firefighting process, according to officials.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said in a Facebook post. "The smell of smoke reached most parts of the city"stewardess "We urge everyone to limit exposure as much as possible".
Internal combustion containment
The fire has been somewhat contained inside the warehouse, but it is still burning and the smell of burning plastic fills the air.California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County amid a warehouse fire in Boyle Heights.
Early on, residents of the area surrounding the warehouse in Boyle Heights, a diverse neighborhood in East Los Angeles, were warned to stay indoors, close windows and avoid breathing air.
Authorities opened 24-hour relief centers for people who could not escape.
But fire officials later lifted those orders, stressing that the smoke was not toxic and no different from smoke from building fires.
Air quality officials issued warnings to residents of affected areas to avoid outdoor activities.
City Councilwoman Isabel Jurado, who represents the area where the fire is burning, expressed concern about the long-term health impacts in Boyle Heights.
She said in a statement Saturday "Residents have endured days of smoke, stay-at-home orders, and disruptions to daily life, in addition to ongoing questions about the impact on their health and safety.".
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