Home / Disasters and Accidents / Boyle Heights Fire: Stench Lingers, Health Clinic Opens
Boyle Heights Fire: Stench Lingers, Health Clinic Opens
7 Jul
Summary
- A mobile health clinic is offering free services for residents affected by odors.
- Disputes continue between Lineage and Altus Power over cleanup responsibilities.
- Mayor Bass has ordered a 45-day deadline for the cleanup of rotting food.
Residents in Boyle Heights are experiencing ongoing health concerns and odors stemming from a large warehouse fire that occurred last month. In response, a free mobile health clinic has opened at Ruben Salazar Park, providing services such as breathing and asthma checks, and oxygen-level screenings. Community meetings are also being held for residents to voice their issues.
Significant disagreements persist between Lineage, the facility owner, and Altus Power, whose contractors are suspected of starting the fire while testing a rooftop solar array. Lineage is pushing for demolition to remove 85 million pounds of rotting food and prevent flare-ups, but Altus Power has requested the preservation of evidence. City and county leaders are demanding a swift cleanup timeline.
Mayor Karen Bass has signed an executive order requiring the cleanup to be completed within 45 days and has called for Lineage to accelerate efforts. The Mayor's office clarified that the city is not requesting the demolition of fire-investigation-related areas but emphasizes the urgent need to remove the decomposing food, which is causing the most harm to the community.
