Boyle Heights warehouse fire odor crisis draws EPA scrutiny

Nearly a month after a massive fire destroyed a cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, millions of pounds of rotting food continue to create a severe public nuisance, drawing intense scrutiny from officials and outrage from residents. The persistent, stomach-churning odor has attracted swarms of flies and rats, with a heat wave threatening to intensify the smell and a recent water main break adding to the community's distress.

The fire broke out on June 17 at the 500,000-square-foot Lineage Logistics facility, burning for days before being knocked down on June 24. Officials estimate that 85 million pounds of food inside thawed and spoiled, creating the ongoing crisis. As of July 14, the company reported removing approximately 365 tons of food waste, but a vast quantity remains. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has given Lineage a deadline of August 13 to clear the site.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a notice of violation to Lineage on July 12 after receiving more than 40 public complaints of "rotten, sour, garbage-type odors" emanating from the cleanup operations. Inspectors confirmed the odors with community members. The violation cites state...