LOS ANGELES — Lineage Logistics has completed the removal of bulk food waste from its fire-damaged cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, marking a major step in a cleanup that has generated thousands of odor complaints from surrounding residents.
Air-quality regulators said the bulk food removal was completed after weeks of cleanup at the facility, which was severely damaged by a June fire.
Cleanup Moves Into Next Phase
The warehouse became the center of a major community dispute after spoiled food remained inside the building following the fire.
Residents complained about persistent odors while officials raised concerns about air quality, pests and potential exposure to harmful substances.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District received more than 4,200 odor complaints between July 12 and Aug. 5 and issued multiple notices of violation to Lineage.
Regulators previously ordered Lineage to strengthen odor controls, conduct additional air monitoring and improve communication with nearby residents.
The company also faced requirements involving monitoring for substances including ammonia, volatile organic compounds and other pollutants.
Lineage has said it has devoted significant resources to the cleanup.
The company previously estimated that the overall cleanup could cost between $80 million and $100 million and said hundreds of workers were being used in the effort.
The completion of bulk food removal is an important milestone, but the work is not necessarily finished.
The facility still requires additional cleaning, disinfection and odor-control measures.
For residents of Boyle Heights, the issue has become much more than an industrial cleanup.
Many residents have complained about the impact of the smell on daily life and expressed concerns about possible health effects.
The incident has also highlighted broader questions about how large industrial facilities are regulated when disasters create prolonged environmental problems.
Regulators are expected to continue monitoring the facility as the next phase of cleanup proceeds.
Residents will likely continue watching the site closely to determine whether the removal of spoiled food results in a noticeable improvement in neighborhood conditions.
