Residents near the Lineage Logistics warehouse in Boyle Heights are grappling with a terrible odor and an influx of pests following a significant fire that destroyed part of the facility. They express frustration as the multibillion-dollar company claims it needs additional time to address the situation, despite a deadline set by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Initially, Lineage was expected to clear out food waste by 5 p.m. on Friday, but the company has now indicated that it will instead have everything removed by August 27. They assert that they have already disposed of 93% of the bulk food waste.
This timeline might work for Lineage, but local residents are far from satisfied. One neighbor lamented on social media about the bizarre size of the flies invading their home, commenting, “I’ve never seen one this big in 25 years.” At a community meeting, the sentiment was clear: residents didn’t want reassurances or hotlines; they just wanted the situation resolved. One individual stated bluntly, “Our soil, air, water, everything is contaminated.”
Laura Garza, another resident, voiced her discontent with Lineage’s representatives, who she felt dodged important safety questions, focusing instead on directing her to call various phone numbers for help.
As frustration boiled over, one pointed question from the audience stood out: “Lineage has a number you can call to get air conditioning. But what number should we call to find out what chemicals we’ve been exposed to and why cleanup hasn’t happened yet?” Despite Lineage employing around 400 workers and spending about $100 million on cleanup, the community continues to suffer.
Mayor Bass remarked that for a company with such substantial resources, meeting the cleanup deadline should have been achievable. She criticized the company’s inaction, emphasizing that they had failed their responsibilities to the community. Meanwhile, residents are still living with the unpleasant odors and constant pest issues, unsure of when this troubling chapter will close.
Beyond just the immediate cleanup, residents worry about ongoing contamination and its potential health implications. Mayor Bass has hinted at escalating measures, suggesting that the City Council explore legal actions against Lineage to recuperate costs incurred from their negligence. In a direct statement, she expressed her determination to hold the company accountable: “I will use every means necessary to demand compliance and hold Lineage accountable for its negligence that leaves Boyle Heights residents breathing in rotten air and being forced to exterminate flies and rats every day.”
The overarching sentiment among residents remains one of urgency and desperation as they continue to face the fallout from the fire and its aftermath.
