Second Amazon Cargo Train Fire Hits LA in a Week

Authorities investigate cause of latest blaze that destroyed packages in Boyle Heights rail yard

Apr. 14, 2026 at 7:18pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred, twisted metal Amazon shipping container latch against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigation into mysterious cargo train fires disrupting Amazon's supply chain.The aftermath of a recent Amazon cargo train fire in Los Angeles exposes the vulnerability of e-commerce supply chains to unexpected disruptions.Los Angeles Today

For the second time in less than a week, a shipping container carrying Amazon packages caught fire aboard a freight train in Los Angeles' Boyle Heights neighborhood. Firefighters responded early Tuesday morning to the Union Pacific rail yard, where they found a double-stack railcar with flames in the top container. No injuries were reported, but the incident marks the latest in a string of mysterious cargo fires impacting the e-commerce giant's supply chain in the region.

Why it matters

These recent cargo fires have disrupted Amazon's operations and raised concerns about the security of its supply chain in the Los Angeles area. Authorities are investigating the causes, which could range from arson to equipment malfunction, as they work to prevent future incidents that could further disrupt deliveries and impact consumers.

The details

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the latest blaze was reported around 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday at the rail yard on Mission Road and Cesar Chavez Avenue. Firefighters coordinated with Union Pacific personnel and the LAPD to carefully remove the burning container from the railcar in order to fully extinguish the flames. Hazmat teams also monitored air quality at the scene. A similar fire had erupted just days earlier, on April 14, in the same general rail yard location, also destroying numerous Amazon packages inside a freight container.

  • The latest fire was reported around 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2026.
  • A previous Amazon cargo train fire occurred on Thursday, April 14, 2026 in the same Boyle Heights rail yard.

The players

Los Angeles Fire Department

The city's fire department that responded to and extinguished the two recent cargo train fires involving Amazon packages.

Union Pacific

The railroad company that operates the freight trains and rail yard where the fires took place.

Los Angeles Police Department

The city's police force that assisted firefighters and railroad personnel in investigating the incidents.

Amazon

The e-commerce giant whose cargo containers and packages were destroyed in the two separate rail yard fires.

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What they’re saying

“Hazmat companies are actively monitoring air quality.”

— Lyndsey Lantz, Public Information Officer, Los Angeles Fire Department

What’s next

Authorities are continuing to investigate the causes of the two cargo train fires to determine if they were intentionally set or the result of equipment failure or other factors. The findings could lead to increased security measures or other changes to protect Amazon's supply chain in the region.

The takeaway

These recent incidents highlight the vulnerability of e-commerce supply chains to disruption, even from seemingly isolated events like cargo train fires. As online shopping continues to grow, securing the movement of goods across different modes of transportation will be an ongoing challenge for companies like Amazon and the communities they serve.