By admin 
BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles residents rallied Friday to demand the permanent closure of the fire-damaged Lineage Logistics cold-storage warehouse amid concerns the company will not meet a city-imposed 45-day cleanup deadline following a June fire at the facility.
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The rally was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Indiana Street and Union Pacific Avenue. Organizers include the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Eastside Padres Contra la Privatizacion and East Area UTLA.
According to organizers, residents continue to complain about foul odors emanating from the warehouse and are demanding a full environmental investigation, a thorough cleanup of the surrounding area, immediate housing relief for affected families, transparency regarding state emergency funding and accountability for Lineage and government agencies involved in the response.
The planned rally comes a day after the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced it would increase financial penalties — up to $2,000 per day — against Lineage for ongoing public health violations at the site.
The health department has issued six citations against Lineage since July 23. Initially, the county fined the company $500 per day for each citation, and said it would continue to do so until the violations are corrected.
Starting Wednesday, county officials said they will cite each violation separately. Additional citations will be issued if unsanitary or nuisance conditions in the surrounding community continue during subsequent inspections.
A fire broke out June 17 at the warehouse at 1400 S. Los Palos St., sending thick smoke into the air and prompting officials to warn nearby residents to remain indoors. The city, county and state issued local emergency declarations in the days that followed. It took more than a week to fully douse the fire.
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DPH investigators reviewed the warehouse on July 15. The official inspection report identified violations that remained outstanding after re-inspection.
Inspectors found an accumulation of decaying organic waste, wastewater and food residue in two different freezers, as well as live and dead flies in various locations of the warehouse. They also found 20 or more fly larvae on the exterior plastic sheeting along the northern perimeter wall, on the nearby sidewalk and on the street along Union Pacific Avenue.
The county has ordered Lineage to do the following:
- Remove and properly dispose of all fire-damaged food, putrescible waste, and other decomposing organic materials from the property in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Eliminate all actual and potential fly breeding sources, including accumulations of organic debris, contaminated liquids, and any other materials capable of supporting fly development
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected areas to remove residues that may attract or support flies and other vectors
- Implement effective vector control measures, including treatment of active breeding areas by a licensed pest control operator
- Take all necessary measures to prevent flies originating from the property from migrating to neighboring properties or creating an ongoing public health nuisance.
Public health officials said they were monitoring corrective actions and conducting regular inspections to verify compliance.
The department also issued a directive to Lineage on June 29 that requires mitigation efforts in the impacted communities related to the facility fire and subsequent decaying food waste.
Lineage has been removing the food waste as part of its recovery process. The company said on July 25 that all food waste from the burned-out part of the building had been sealed in deodorized containers and was being transported off-site.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although Lineage officials have said they believe it started while a subcontractor for Altus Power, which owns the rooftop solar array, was testing the system. Altus Power has said the cause has not been determined, and its primary concern remains the surrounding community.
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