Boyle Heights fire: What happens to spoiled food inside damaged facility? ABC7 gets answers
BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Crews are working to remove millions of pounds of spoiled food from a fire-damaged cold storage facility in Boyle Heights as officials aim to prevent potential health risks and mitigate strong odors.
Private remediation teams have already begun determining how to dispose of approximately 85 million pounds of frozen and imported food inside the building.
Officials say the goal is to remove and discard the products as quickly as possible before they become a biohazard.
Some of the odor reported in the area may be coming from charred food that has been left without refrigeration for about a week.
"The frozen food included meat, poultry, seafood, as well as bread products," said Dr. Nichole Quick, chief science officer with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Inside the damaged facility, racks remain stacked with perishable goods, including Kirkland tilapia, likely headed to Costco. Officials say only part of the roughly 500,000-square-foot facility was exposed to the fire, while another section has been protected - even without refrigeration.
"By keeping that closed and not opening it and not introducing warm outside air, that it keeps it cold enough," explained Capt. Jacob Raabe of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Even so, concerns are growing among nearby residents about potential health effects tied to the smell of decaying food.
"For sensitive individuals, odor can present with some physical signs and symptoms related with exposure to that. At times, that can create things like headache, nausea, and so forth," Dr. Quick said.
Health officials say such symptoms are expected to be temporary. However, they are working to remove the spoiled food quickly to prevent additional issues, including mold, bacteria and pests.
"Rats and any sort of vermin would be a potential concern," Dr. Quick said.
Crews are also focused on limiting the spread of odors during cleanup.
"That remediation company is going to use everything they have to try to keep the smell down and get it out of here," Raabe said.
In the meantime, health officials are advising residents to take precautions, especially those sensitive to smoke or air quality issues.
"Remaining indoors, that could include running an air purifier if you have one. For individuals that are particularly sensitive, we do want them to take extra precautions to reduce their exposure to smoke," Dr. Quick said.
Officials also say it is safe to use air conditioning during a heat advisory as long as window or portable units are set to recirculation mode, while central air systems typically recirculate indoor air.
Residents experiencing trouble breathing are urged to seek emergency medical attention.
