Toxic dangers lurk in LA, even in homes that didn’t burn

Houses still standing after the LA fires may release dangerous chemicals indoors for months

burnt car destroyed by Eaton Fire 2025

Burnt cars like this one destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., and other scorched urban debris can produce toxic chemicals and metals that invade still-standing homes and cause health problems long after flames have died.

ALI MATIN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Even as firefighters douse the deadly LA wildfires, a more insidious danger remains.