Massive Warehouse Fire Prompts Shelter-in-Place Order in South El Monte

Explosions and hazardous materials response as firefighters battle blaze through the night

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Residents in South El Monte, California were ordered to shelter in place on Wednesday afternoon as over 100 firefighters worked to battle a massive blaze at a warehouse complex. The fire caused several explosions and sent a dark plume of smoke and acrid chemical smell into the air, prompting a hazardous materials and urban search and rescue response. The shelter-in-place order was expanded to include more nearby streets as the fire continued to burn through the night.

Why it matters

Warehouse fires can pose significant risks to nearby communities due to the potential for hazardous materials, explosions, and prolonged firefighting efforts. The shelter-in-place order was issued to protect residents from potential exposure to smoke, fumes, or other hazards as the fire raged on. This incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and coordination between fire departments, hazmat teams, and local authorities.

The details

The fire broke out around 2:32 pm on Wednesday in two adjacent concrete warehouse buildings on North Tyler Avenue in South El Monte. Over 112 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, where they took a defensive position and surrounded the buildings with water spraying equipment. Several explosions occurred inside the buildings, though the cause was not immediately clear. Hazardous materials and urban search and rescue teams also responded due to the materials burning inside the warehouses.

  • The fire was reported at 2:32 pm on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The shelter-in-place order was issued around 4:40 pm and expanded shortly after.
  • By 6 pm, the smoke had diminished but the order remained in place "out of an abundance of caution".
  • Fire crews expected the incident to continue throughout the night due to the materials involved.

The players

L.A. County Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the warehouse blaze, with over 112 personnel on the scene.

Keith Navarre

A spokesperson for the L.A. County Fire Department who provided details about the incident.

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What they’re saying

“It's going to be an incident that goes throughout the night because of the materials involved. We have heavy equipment here that's going to help us break down the building and continue to put the fires out.”

— Keith Navarre, Fire Department Spokesperson (latimes.com)

What’s next

Investigators will work to determine the cause of the fire, while fire crews continue to battle the blaze and monitor the situation for any potential hazards to the surrounding community.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and coordination between first responders and local authorities when dealing with large-scale industrial fires that pose risks to nearby residents. The shelter-in-place order helped protect the community, but also highlights the need for continued vigilance and safety measures around warehouses and other facilities that may contain hazardous materials.