A massive fire that engulfed a food storage warehouse in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles this June has brought renewed scrutiny to the safety practices of Lineage, one of the world’s largest cold storage operators. The incident, which burned for over a week and left behind approximately 85 million pounds of spoiled food, is part of a broader trend of fire-related incidents at the company’s facilities.
Federal records indicate that at least 63 fires of varying intensity have occurred at properties managed by Lineage over the past decade. While the company acknowledges 34 building fires, including a prolonged blaze in Finley, Washington, that lasted nearly two months, the scale of the issue has alarmed local residents and environmental experts alike.
During a tense community town hall last month, one resident expressed deep frustration with the lack of accountability, stating, “I feel that leadership at all levels — from Lineage to the city, to the state, even the federal government — has failed us.” Locals continue to report ongoing issues with persistent odors, pests, and concerns regarding potential exposure to hazardous pollutants released during the fire.
The facility, owned by Chill Build LLC, was being leased and operated by Lineage at the time of the blaze. In response to the disaster, several Boyle Heights residents have initiated lawsuits against both companies, as well as contractors and solar energy providers, alleging that negligence in facility maintenance and operation led to a preventable environmental catastrophe.
Chill Build LLC informed The LA Local that while it invested millions in the immediate fire response, Lineage remains “responsible for all aspects of maintaining and repairing the facility” and is currently “in charge of the recovery efforts.” Lineage, for its part, maintains that it is working continuously on pest and odor control alongside food waste removal, asserting that conditions will improve as cleanup efforts proceed.
Regarding the fire’s origin, Lineage has pointed to the roof, where a contractor for Altus Power—the owner of the facility’s solar array—was performing maintenance. Altus Power has stated that the cause of the fire remains undetermined and that they are cooperating with ongoing investigations.
Environmental health scientist Dr. Jill Johnston of the University of California, Irvine, emphasized the severity of the event, noting that the fire qualifies as a significant industrial disaster. “It really adds to a burden that already exists around air toxics and health impacts,” Johnston said. She further pointed to air quality data from July showing ammonia levels near the site were more than 10 times higher than in other Los Angeles neighborhoods, even a month after the fire was extinguished.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a formal demand to Lineage on July 31, requiring the company to provide detailed information regarding its safety compliance and any potential release of hazardous chemicals during the incident. Cold storage facilities are particularly high-risk due to their reliance on anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems, which can release toxic substances if compromised.
Lineage, which operates over 500 warehouses globally, asserts that safety is its “number one value.” The company claims its workplace safety performance exceeds industry averages and that it employs a team of over 200 dedicated personnel focused on compliance. Regarding the Boyle Heights site, the company stated it removed ammonia shortly after the fire began and that no measurable levels have been detected in the community since.
The company’s history of safety issues extends beyond Los Angeles. In Finley, Washington, residents filed a class-action lawsuit in April alleging that pollution from a previous warehouse fire contaminated local air and water, contributing to illnesses and two deaths. Lineage has stated it “vigorously disputes” the characterization of its safety record in that case.
Government watchdog data from Good Jobs First reveals that since 2014, regulators have assessed more than $4.5 million in penalties against Lineage for various environmental and workplace safety violations. These include a 2020 incident in Statesville, North Carolina, where a worker died following an ammonia leak.
Despite these challenges, Lineage insists it has consistently supported the community throughout the emergency response. The company maintains that it will “always strive for excellence” in safety standards as it continues to manage the cleanup and recovery operations in Boyle Heights.
The company’s safety record has been under renewed scrutiny since the massive June 17 fire at a food storage warehouse in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of LA, where residents say they are still dealing with lingering od
The June 17 fire quickly became one of the largest industrial fires in recent Los Angeles history, burning for more than a week and leaving behind an estimated 85 million pounds of spoiled food.
“When a fire burns right across the street from businesses and homes, it’s up there among significant industrial disasters in urban areas,” said Dr.
The company’s safety record has been under renewed scrutiny since the massive June 17 fire at a food storage warehouse in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of LA, where residents say they are still dealing with lingering odors, pests, and uncertainty about what pollutants they may have been exposed to.
Altus Power said that the cause of the fire and resulting damage has not yet been determined and that they would be responsive to authorities as they continue their investigation.
A investigation identified at least 63 fires in and around Lineage facilities since 2016 involving the company’s buildings, vehicles or trash on its sites.
The company acknowledged 34 building fires — including fires in Finley, Washington; Pasadena, Texas; Everett, Massachusetts; and a previous fire at the same Boyle Heights warehouse in 2024.
The figures come from a national database that about 70% of U.S.
Unlike many industrial facilities located far from neighborhoods, cold storage warehouses are often built close to homes, schools and businesses to speed up food distribution.
“I think what we’re seeing is really an unprecedented challenge, at least here, in both understanding and containing all the toxins that are still inside,” Johnston said.
Source: CBS News
