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At the L.A. Warehouse Fire, First It Was the Smoke. Now It’s the Smell.
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- A massive industrial fire at a cold-storage warehouse east of downtown Los Angeles, which started on June 17, has been extinguished for over a week, but residents near Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles are now dealing with a persistent foul odor from rotting food.
- The warehouse contained 85 million pounds of food, including beef, pork, poultry, and seafood, which is now decomposing and causing a strong stench that affects nearby residential streets.
- Cleanup efforts are ongoing, but residents complain the process is too slow, and the smell, combined with fears of rodents, is adding to health concerns initially raised by toxic smoke and elevated air pollution levels.
- Many residents report that the odor clings to their clothing and masks, leading them to stay indoors or limit outdoor activities, while also experiencing symptoms such as headaches, breathing difficulties, and eye irritation.
- Cleanup crews continue to work at the site using heavy equipment, but the intensity of the odor varies with wind conditions and proximity to the warehouse, which occupies an entire city block.
