Wave Wire Services
BOYLE HEIGHTS — Cleanup efforts are continuing at the fire- damaged Lineage Logistics warehouse in Boyle Heights, with company officials saying about 92% of the bulk food waste has been removed from the facility.
Lineage Logistics has set a goal of completing bulk food waste removal from the site this week, according to a statement it issued Aug. 10 when it announced approximately 90% of the bulk food waste has been removed. Cleanup began July 7.
“We continue to make meaningful progress against this massive cleanup effort every single day, and we will keep working until the job is done,” Jeff Rivera, Lineage Logistics’ chief operating officer, said in a statement released Aug. 11.
“In addition to advancing the cleanup, we are focused on increasing pest and odor mitigants, including distributing more than 1,150 fly traps throughout the community.
“Lineage also remains committed to our outreach efforts to reach residents closest to the site, with 87% now contacted. Those we have not reached remain a priority and we will continue our follow-up efforts until all households have received support.”
Lineage Logistics also announced that it has begun distributing an additional 800 fly traps to residents after previously distributing 350. The Orkin pest control service is installing 576 traps in public spaces throughout the immediate neighborhood, including mounting them on telephone poles and in common areas, according to Lineage Logistics.
Lineage Logistics has pledged to spend between $80 million and $100 million on cleanup efforts.
A South Coast Air Quality Management District hearing board Aug. 6 unanimously approved a modified abatement order requiring Lineage Logistics to implement additional odor-control measures during the cleanup of the warehouse.
South Coast AQMD said that between July 12 and Aug. 5, it had received more than 4,200 odor complaints about the warehouse, and the agency issued 25 notices of violations to Lineage.
The 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.
