Lineage Logistics to miss Boyle Heights warehouse food cleanup deadline

Lineage Logistics is expected to miss a Friday deadline set by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to clear thousands of tons of spoiled food from its fire-damaged cold storage facility in Boyle Heights. While the company reports having removed approximately 93% of the bulk food waste and has committed between $80 million and $100 million toward cleanup, an executive confirmed the deadline will not be met.

The facility fire, which occurred in June, has caused significant community distress, including severe odors, fly infestations, and rodent activity. The South Coast Air Quality Management District has received over 4,200 odor complaints and issued numerous violation notices. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has also cited the company for unsanitary conditions.

In response to the incident, California state lawmakers Mark González and María Elena Durazo are proposing legislation to increase penalties for industrial disasters. The proposed law would require new cold storage facilities to establish contingency funds to help neighboring communities mitigate the impact of future emergencies.