Overview
- A cold‑storage warehouse fire that began on June 17 left tens of millions of pounds of frozen food to thaw and rot, creating a strong odor and spawning fly and rodent infestations that have plagued Boyle Heights.
- The South Coast Air Quality Management District is holding a hearing to consider an abatement order that would require Lineage Logistics to address odors, pests and related public‑health nuisances at the site.
- Lineage says it has removed about 80% of the food waste and expects cleanup costs of $80 million to $100 million, leaving roughly 16 million pounds to meet the city’s August 14 removal deadline.
- County and state agencies have cited Lineage for rodent and pest control violations, logged nearly 4,000 odor complaints, and raised daily fines while public health inspectors demand thorough cleanup, sanitation and vector control.
- City and county leaders have paused rebuild permits, proposed emergency relief and small‑business funds, and pushed for stronger oversight as residents report nausea, headaches and business losses and debate grows over industrial siting near homes.