Boyle Heights residents call on Newsom to declare disaster zone 1 month after warehouse fire
BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- It's been one month since a fire scorched a massive warehouse in Boyle Heights, leaving tons of food to rot and attract rodents. As a heat wave keeps its grip on Southern California, and the stench gets worse, residents are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to help.
"It smells like death. There's flies, there's maggots, there's rats," said resident Barbara Martinez outside of Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights, where a group gathered for a vigil Wednesday evening.
Residents prayed for their health as some claim they've gotten sick from what they call hazardous smoke while the fire was still burning and the overwhelming odor of rotting food in its aftermath. Many are worried about the long-term effects the fire will have on their bodies and the soil in the area.
"Monterey Park, Montebello, Commerce, Huntington Park, Cudahy, Maywood - it impacted all of our communities and yet nobody was talking about that. ," said Alma Marquez of Monterey Park. "Nobody has a sense of urgency and that's why we're calling on the governor to show up as a real leader."
Residents are asking Newsom for help evacuating the immediate area around the Lineage warehouse, which acted as a cold storage facility.
Some relief is on the way. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a $1 million commitment from Airbnb to provide free emergency housing for families near the warehouse. Free temporary housing may be available for people living within Los Palos Street to Hicks Avenue and between Beswick Street to Union Pacific Avenue.
