Los Angeles cleanup of fire-damaged warehouse delayed as rotting food fuels foul odor and pest problem
Residents of Boyle Heights report a persistent foul smell and fly and rat infestations after a fire left tons of rotting food at a warehouse, while city officials and the operator work to complete the cleanup.
A fire that destroyed a warehouse in Los Angeles' Boyle Heights neighbourhood left large quantities of rotting chicken, poultry and fish, creating a strong odor that has drawn flies and rats, residents said. About two months after the blaze, the company that ran the facility, Lineage, reported that roughly 80% of the food waste had been removed, but city officials said the effort "has fallen short" and issued public-health and safety violation notices.
Local coffee vendor Alexis Sicairos, whose stand was forced to close for two weeks, said the lingering smell and insect swarms have deterred customers, even after the stand reopened. A city-commissioned inspection found that the waste and high temperatures could accelerate fly breeding, potentially exposing people and animals with open wounds to disease, according to a pest-control report.
Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged residents' frustration, stating they deserve "transparency, clear communication, and meaningful support" and that she has been meeting with community members since the incident. She said city departments are coordinating with state, federal and nonprofit partners to accelerate the cleanup, and she has set a deadline of 13 August for Lineage to finish the work. The company said it expects to complete bulk waste removal within the next week and anticipates spending between $80 million and $100 million on the effort. Workers in hard hats and neon vests, along with air-quality officials and sheriffs, continue to clear the site.