Lineage Logistics has committed up to $100 million to clean up a 500,000-square-foot cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, after a fire on June 17 left millions of pounds of rotting food waste and drew thousands of odor complaints. The announcement came hours before air quality regulators were set to consider legal action against the company.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has received more than 4,000 odor complaints since the fire and issued Lineage at least 20 violation notices for public nuisance. On August 5, AQMD attorneys petitioned the agency’s hearing board to approve more than 80 new requirements for cleanup efforts, including the removal of 8.8 million pounds of food waste weekly, restricted waste loading through the south dock, and the operation of an odor-neutralizing misting system.
Lineage’s cleanup plan includes spending between $80 million and $100 million to address the site, which contains rotting meat and other food waste. The company stated in a release that the cleanup would focus on odor control, pest management, and food waste removal, with conditions expected to improve as remediation progresses.
Immediate Impact on Boyle Heights Residents
Residents in Boyle Heights have reported lingering odors, pests, and concerns about potential exposure to pollutants. During a contentious community town hall last month, one resident stated, “I feel that leadership at all levels — from Lineage to the city, to the state, even the federal government — has failed us.”
Since the fire, several lawsuits have been filed against Lineage and other defendants, including Chill Build LLC (the warehouse owner), rooftop solar companies, and contractors. The lawsuits allege that the defendants failed to safely operate and maintain the facility, contributing to the preventable fire and exposing nearby residents to toxic smoke and hazardous pollutants.
Regulatory Response and Enforcement
The AQMD’s petition to the hearing board includes 80+ new requirements, such as:
- Waste removal: At least 8.8 million pounds of food waste must be removed weekly.
- Loading restrictions: Waste must only be loaded through the south loading dock, farthest from residential areas.
- Odor control: An odor-neutralizing misting system must operate around the warehouse and any openings.
- Wastewater management: A plan for wastewater collection and storage must be developed.
- Public transparency: A public notification system must be created to update residents on cleanup progress.
The AQMD’s hearing board is set to review the petition in the coming weeks, with potential legal orders compelling Lineage to comply with all new requirements.
Lineage’s Statement and Ongoing Efforts
In a statement to CBS News, Lineage acknowledged the severity of the situation and said it is working “around the clock” on odor control, pest management, and food waste removal. The company expects conditions to improve as cleanup efforts advance.
Lineage also operates temperature-controlled warehouses globally and has faced scrutiny over its safety record. Federal records indicate at least 63 fires at Lineage properties over the past decade, though the company reported being aware of 34 fires, including one in Finley, Washington, that burned for nearly two months.
The Boyle Heights warehouse was leased and operated by Lineage but owned by Chill Build LLC. Chill Build has not publicly commented on the lawsuits or regulatory actions in the provided sources.