Massive cleanup begins after Boyle Heights warehouse fire officially knocked down

The Boyle Heights warehouse fire may be out, but its impacts continue to affect nearby residents as cleanup efforts move forward and the smell of rotting food lingers in the community.

The Boyle Heights warehouse fire may be out, but its impacts continue to affect nearby residents as cleanup efforts move forward and the smell of rotting food lingers in the community

Two resilience centers opened Saturday to support those living near the Lineage warehouse, where millions of pounds of food remain inside the damaged building. The centers, located at the East Los Angeles Library and Costello Recreation Center, provided food, water, health care services and other assistance.

The need for supplies remains high as residents cope with odors and potential health concerns.

"Even though we have been staying inside with the doors closed, you can still smell it. I have sinuses from it. I still have chest pains," one neighbor said.

City officials say the resilience centers are designed to bring multiple services together in one place for affected residents.

"During any type of emergency situation, we all need to come together as a community and provide each other with the resources needed, whether that be cash assistance, food assistance or moral support, or health assistance, we want to make sure that those services are here in a one-stop-shop," said Jenny Delwood, deputy chief of staff in the mayor's office.

First responders said half of the 500,000-square-foot warehouse was destroyed in the fire. The facility is expected to be turned back over to the company on Monday, with Lineage promising to clean up the site and safely dispose of all waste.

The company believes the fire was caused by subcontractors working on solar panels on the roof.

Organizers estimate that up to 400 people have been served at one of the resilience centers so far. Both the Costello Recreation Center and East Los Angeles Library sites are scheduled to reopen at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Two community-based organizations are providing assistance to residents affected by the warehouse fire in Boyle Heights, distributing free air purifiers and masks while offering health assessments for people experiencing ongoing symptoms.

St. John's Community Health is partnering with Eastside nonprofit InnerCity Struggle to encourage residents to receive free lung examinations. Patients have reported a range of symptoms since the fire, such as eye irritation, headaches and shortness of breath.

A health clinic and a nonprofit are providing health assessments and air purifiers to Boyle Heights residents affected by the warehouse fire.

Maria, a Boyle Heights resident and St. John's patient, described both physical and emotional effects she has experienced. She said she has suffered anxiety attacks and is unable to breathe at night, expressing concern about potential long-term health effects.

Resident Baltazar Estrada said he went to the event to receive an air purifier for his family. He needed one because his 13-year-old daughter has asthma. He also showed lingering effects from the fire, including red and irritated eyes.

Another event will be held Saturday. The two organizations said they aim to distribute an additional 1,000 air purifiers.

Now that the fire is out at the Boyle Heights warehouse, the focus is shifting to clearing away tons of rotting food. Unfortunately, crews will likely have some company while they work.

Video posted by Alexandra Datig shows rats a couple blocks away from the site of the fire.

Rats were spotted near the Boyle Heights warehouse where the focus has shifted to clearing tons of rotting food after the weeklong fire.

"They're waiting for all that delicious food that is spoiled I'm sure," Datig is heard saying.

"Wait till they get a load of that building with all the food in it," she added.

Mayor Karen Bass said the city is preparing additional support for the community as post-fire cleanup efforts begin.

"Environmental hazards have too often fallen on communities like this one. This moment must be a turning point," Bass said.

Mayor Karen Bass vowed to hold those responsible for the Boyle Heights warehouse fire accountable.

Bass said she will soon issue an executive order intended to mobilize additional resources to Boyle Heights during the cleanup stage.

"We will hold those responsible fully accountable, and we will fight to change the longstanding systemic failures that have left Boyle Heights disproportionately impacted by industrial accidents," Bass said.

Officials said approximately 85 million pounds of food remain inside the warehouse. A key part of the cleanup effort will involve disposing of the product while limiting water runoff from the site.

"We have sanitation straining the water, so that we can ensure the water that's going into the storm drains is not going to affect or pollute our oceans. They're monitoring the quality of the water that's going in there and yes, you're seeing product... but we're catching it before it gets into the drainage, so it doesn't end up in our oceans," LAFD Chief Jaime Moore said.

A foul odor remains in the area, a byproduct of some of the runoff. Residents are being urged to monitor air quality conditions and contact the city for additional resources - such as masks and air purifiers - if needed.