Lineage, the operator of a cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, has identified the building’s rooftop solar array as the source of a fire that has burned for days. While an official cause remains under investigation, four employees from Pearce Services were on-site June 17, the day the blaze began, to perform work for the solar array’s owner, Altus Power.
What is known about the fire’s origin
Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore reported that two smaller fires occurred on the roof earlier on June 17, which workers believed they had extinguished before a third fire prompted a 911 call. Although neither Altus nor Pearce would specify the nature of the work, Chief Moore indicated that crews were attempting to bring high-voltage panels back online following a previous shutdown in 2024.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has opened investigations into both Lineage and Pearce. Altus Power has confirmed ownership of the array and stated it is cooperating with authorities, though the company declined to answer specific questions regarding the incident.
The warehouse’s solar array, which covers 332,230 square feet, was designed to generate approximately 6 megawatts of power. While the project was once listed as in-service, an LADWP spokesperson confirmed the system had not produced electricity purchased by the department since 2024.
The challenge of rooftop solar in industrial fires
Large-scale solar installations can complicate firefighting efforts, as seen in the 2013 fire at a Dietz & Watson warehouse in New Jersey. In that instance, firefighters were ordered to stay off the roof because the electricity flowing through the panels could not be safely shut off.
The Boyle Heights facility faces similar structural challenges. During a previous fire at the same location on August 14, 2024, firefighters found that the warehouse’s split-level roof rendered aerial ladder trucks ineffective. Crews were forced to climb onto the roof to use hand lines to extinguish flames among the panels.
The recurring nature of these incidents highlights the complex intersection of renewable energy infrastructure and industrial fire safety. When high-voltage equipment is integrated into massive commercial structures, the inability to quickly de-energize systems creates significant tactical hurdles for emergency responders, often forcing them into high-risk manual suppression efforts.
Potential consequences for the community
The financial and social impact of the ongoing fire is drawing scrutiny from local officials. L.A. City Controller Kenneth Meija stated that firefighting efforts have cost taxpayers approximately $3 million, while Los Angeles Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado has announced plans to introduce motions aimed at holding the responsible parties accountable.
Lineage has called on Altus to assist in supporting the Boyle Heights community, noting that the company has already donated $2 million to the California Community Impact Fund. Future developments may include independent investigations into safety oversight, as Councilwoman Jurado emphasized that residents deserve a thorough accounting of the failures that led to this disaster rather than corporate finger-pointing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the solar array on the Boyle Heights warehouse?
The array is owned by Los Palos Street Operating LLC, a subsidiary of Altus Power.
Does Lineage use the power generated by the rooftop solar panels?
No. According to Lineage spokesperson Melanie Mendoza, the company leases the roof to Altus and does not use the power, which was intended for sale to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Were there any injuries reported during the fire?
No, there were no injuries reported in connection with the blaze.
How should local governments balance the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure with the safety requirements of large-scale industrial storage facilities?
