Spencer Pratt, a former mayoral candidate in Los Angeles, stated on Sunday that Mayor Karen Bass is responsible for a warehouse fire in the Boyle Heights neighborhood that began on Wednesday and is still active. Pratt compared Bass's response to this incident with her handling of the Palisades Fire in January 2025, criticizing her for being away during both events.
Pratt claimed, "Karen was sipping cocktails in Chicago when the Boyle Heights fire erupted," referencing previous criticism of Bass for being in Ghana during the Palisades Fire. The fire at the frozen food warehouse prompted local officials to issue a shelter-in-place order, which has since been lifted. Bass declared a local emergency on Saturday, and California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Sunday.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore indicated that the fire could be extinguished by the end of the week if progress continues. Residents reported health concerns due to smoke, which was described as having a chemical odor. Pratt expressed concerns about the dangers posed by fumes from the warehouse, linking it to previous budget cuts to the fire department made by Bass.
Pratt had previously gained attention for his criticism of Bass during his campaign, which ultimately ended in a loss to Councilwoman Nithya Raman in a runoff election. Raman is set to face Bass in the upcoming general election on November 3.