Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed skepticism Thursday regarding Lineage Logistics' claim of completing 101.8% of the cleanup at its fire-ravaged Boyle Heights warehouse, stating that city personnel observed remaining food waste inside the facility. City inspectors are scheduled to return Friday to assess the situation.
The company's cleanup claim comes nearly two months after a fire on June 17 destroyed a portion of the warehouse, leading to a persistent foul odor in the surrounding community. Lineage Logistics has faced criticism for missing an initial August 14 deadline set by Mayor Bass to remove an estimated 88 million pounds of spoiled food.
Lineage Logistics disputes the city's timeline, asserting that its deadline was August 20, as the Los Angeles Fire Department did not grant access to the building until July 7. The company stated that its 101.8% completion figure for Freezer 1, the section not directly impacted by the fire, was calculated by weighing all materials removed since July 7. This total, exceeding 88 million pounds, could include debris and other non-food materials, and the company acknowledges that food waste may still be present.
Lineage expects to finish removing remaining materials in the coming days and then proceed with power washing, disinfecting, and deodorizing the facility, a phase anticipated to conclude by August 27. The freezer that sustained the most damage has been demolished, while crews have been working to clear the remaining freezer.
Mayor Bass had previously indicated she was exploring legal options, including civil litigation, penalties, and cost recovery, after Lineage missed the initial deadline. The deadline was part of executive directives issued by Bass on June 29, mandating complete bulk food removal within 45 days.
Boyle Heights residents have reported health issues potentially linked to the fire and its aftermath. A study by St. John’s Community Health reviewed symptoms and diagnoses of 1,306 patients treated at mobile clinics in the six weeks following the fire. The study indicated that respiratory infections, eye disorders, and persistent coughing were "directly related to toxic exposure and smoke inhalation."