BOYLE HEIGHTS—A massive warehouse fire took place in Boyle Heights where an estimated 102 truckloads of garbage was removed from the warehouse fire that occurred on June 17.
The pungent odor, flies, maggots, and rats remained as workers attempt to remove close 85 million pounds of what Los Angeles Fire Department referred to as frozen animal by-products. The fire broke out at Lineage’s Los Palos Port Centric Facility, a 491,000 square foot warehouse located at 1400 S. Los Palos St. The warehouse kept high volume inventory and cold storage.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued an air quality warning for the young, elderly, and those with underlying breathing issues.
Public health workers, and nurses at urgent care centers indicated that residents are coming in with breathing difficulties, eye irritation, shortness of breath, chest pains.
Those working in debris removal have indicated they now have continuous headaches. The stench of the rotting meat by-products has attracted flies and rats.
“The phorid fly is reportedly the culprit that is attracted to rotting meat. The reproductive potential of these flies is tremendous, and very large numbers may appear in a short time. The female can deposit about 40 eggs in a 12-hour period and lay approximately 500 eggs during her lifetime,” the LACDPH stated.
The Boyle Heights Fire Relief Fund is offering emergency grants for small businesses and vendors who operate in the vicinity of the Lineage fire. Applications must be received by July 13, to be considered for compensation.
