Residents in Boyle Heights are reporting a growing fly infestation, swarms of rats, and overwhelming foul odors emanating from a frozen food warehouse that was destroyed by a fire last month. The fire at the Lineage Logistics facility, which previously held 85 million pounds of frozen food, burned for eight days and has left behind a decomposing health hazard.
Neighbors have described the smell as unbearable and expressed concerns about potential infections from the rotting food, which includes items like crab meat, beef, and pig feet. "I hope they don’t have infections or something like that…The smells, flies. Now I’m worried about that," said Martin Ramirez, a local business owner.
Adding to the community's distress, a water main break occurred approximately a mile from the warehouse site, causing localized flooding and disrupting water service for some residents. California Water Service confirmed the broken pipe was unrelated to the fire itself but has become another complication for the neighborhood.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has acknowledged the severity of the situation, calling it an "environmental injustice issue" during a recent community meeting. Business owners along Olympic Boulevard have stated that the persistent odor is driving customers away, impacting their livelihoods. Some residents are accusing Lineage Logistics and solar contractor Altus Power of delaying the cleanup and demolition process through legal challenges.
Trucks are continuing to haul away the spoiled food, but residents remain frustrated by the lingering stench and the ongoing environmental impact on their community.