Cleanup operations at a Los Angeles warehouse are nearing completion after a fire on June 17 caused millions of pounds of food to rot, creating a significant stench that has affected surrounding communities for over two months. The South Coast Air Quality Management District confirmed a major phase of the cleanup is complete, but the operating company, Lineage Logistics, has seven more days to finish the remaining work, which includes debris removal, power washing, and disinfecting the facility.
The fire at the Boyle Heights warehouse, operated by Lineage Logistics, knocked out refrigeration, leading to an estimated 8.5 million pounds of beef, chicken, seafood, and produce spoiling. Firefighters battled the blaze for days, and residents endured weeks of strong odors and pest problems. The South Coast Air Quality Management District received more than 4,900 odor complaints since July 12 and issued dozens of notices of violation. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued more than 30 citations totaling $600,000 for conditions including decaying organic waste and fly activity.
The cleanup effort has been complex, involving hundreds of workers and contractors to remove food from the damaged six-story structure. Lineage Logistics stated it anticipates spending approximately $100 million to address the disaster. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has expressed frustration with the company's response, accusing Lineage of repeatedly failing to meet its responsibilities.
Lineage Logistics maintains that the operation's complexity dictated the timeline and that it has not held back resources, stating, "We have spared no expense, held nothing back, and we are not slowing down." The company expects odor impacts to continue decreasing as the work progresses.
Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the June fire are ongoing. Lineage Logistics believes contractors working on a rooftop solar array initiated the blaze, a conclusion disputed by Altus Power, the solar installation owner, which states the cause has not yet been determined. The Los Angeles Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety are continuing their investigations.