Overview
- The fire began during rooftop solar work and started on Wednesday, June 17, and crews say it entered a sixth day of operations on Monday while firefighters continue cautious, largely exterior efforts to reach concealed hot spots.
- LAFD shifted to defensive tactics early after a suspected ammonia leak and has used helicopters, heavy equipment and removed exterior walls to improve access because collapsed roof sections now rest on interior storage racks.
- The building holds about 85 million pounds of frozen food and contained lithium‑ion batteries that were moved to safer areas, facts that have blocked interior entry and raise complex spoilage and disposal challenges.
- Air monitors recorded PM2.5 levels from unhealthy for sensitive groups to very unhealthy, prompting state and city emergency declarations and temporary relocations of several LAUSD sites and activities.
- Lineage says third‑party contractors were testing the rooftop solar array when the fire began, reports it pumped out ammonia and has funded community relief while officials continue methodical operations and monitoring for intermittent smoke.