I noticed rainboe indicated which aeroplane he would prefer.
I will say that I would PREFER to land at LAX rather than risk the need for a diversion to the other airfields he mentioned.
An etops twin that is operating normally is superior to a 747 that is in a reduced capacity...the etops twin can go higher for example. A fully and normally functioning 747 is certainly another story.
That BA has agreed to a different set of protocols should this happen again in US Airspace is a tacit admission of a FU#$up. And that should be that on the subject. If they were smelling like a rose instead of fertilizer, there would have been NO CHANGE to procedures.
And as to the great "fire / flame" controversy. It is likely that there was no FIRE warning per se in the cockpit, there could have been other indications of less than desirable engine performance...and that alone is sufficient to stay close to a first class aerodrome rather than PRESS ON.