LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County health officials issued an administrative citation against Lineage Logistics for creating unsanitary and nuisance conditions at their burned-out cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, it was announced today.
Investigators with the L.A. County Department of Public Health assessed and inspected the warehouse after the June fire that left tons of rotting food that has attracted rats and bugs.
County officials issued the citation Thursday, fining Lineage the maximum $500 per day until the violations are corrected. Additional citation may be issued if compliance is not obtained as identified on subsequent inspections.
DPH investigators reviewed the warehouse on July 15. The official inspection report identified violations that remained outstanding after a re-inspection earlier this week.
Inspectors found an accumulation of decaying organic waste, waste water, and food residue in two different freezers, as well as live and dead flies in various locations of the warehouse. They also found 20 or more fly larvae on the exterior plastic sheeting along the northern perimeter wall, nearby sidewalk and street along Union Pacific Avenue.
The county has ordered Lineage to do the following:
— Remove and properly dispose of all fire-damaged food, putrescible waste, and other decomposing organic materials from the property in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations;
— Eliminate all actual and potential fly breeding sources, including accumulations of organic debris, contaminated liquids, and any other materials capable of supporting fly development;
— Thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected areas to remove residues that may attract or support flies and other vectors;
— Implement effective vector control measures, including treatment of active breeding areas by a licensed pest control operator; and
— Take all necessary measures to prevent flies originating from the property from migrating to neighboring properties or creating an ongoing public health nuisance.
Public Health officials said they were monitoring corrective actions and conducting regular inspections to verify compliance.
The department also issued a directive to Lineage on June 29 that requires mitigation efforts in the impacted communities related to the facility fire and subsequent decaying food waste.
The citation comes one day after the company released a list of measures being taken to control odors from rotting food that prompted multiple violations issued by Southland air-quality regulators.
More than 85 million pounds of food were being stored at the warehouse, and as of Wednesday, 3,195 tons of the now-rotting material had been removed from the site, according to Lineage. The spoiled food is being transported to the Simi Valley Landfill in Ventura County, the El Sobrante Landfill in Corona and Hazmat TSDF Inc., a hazardous waste facility in Rialto.
Lineage submitted its odor-mitigation plans to the SCAQMD. The measures include odor-control sprayers being installed around the warehouse, application of odor-neutralizer to the waste multiple times per day, and wrapping the building where possible to control odors.
Other steps include:
— Attaching carbon filters to portions of the building;
— Daily washing of areas with runoff and loading areas;
— Emptying and washing of drains used to collect runoff;
— Transporting food waste in sealed containers;
— Washing truck tires before they leave the property; and
— Immediate sealing of loaded trucks, with no loaded trucks remaining on the property for more than 12 hours.
Air monitoring information is posted on the company’s website at www.onelineage.com/boyle-heights-fire-response/air-monitoring-data.
The fire broke out June 17 at the warehouse at 1400 S. Los Palos St., sending thick smoke into the air and prompting officials to warn nearby residents to remain indoors. The city, county and state issued local emergency declarations in the days that followed. It took more than a week to fully douse the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although Lineage officials have said they believe it started while a subcontractor for Altus Power, which owns the rooftop solar array, was testing the system. Altus Power has said the cause has not been determined, and its primary concern remains the surrounding community.