Boyle Heights residents describe unbearable conditions, putrid smells

Key Points:

• The Lineage cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights caught fire last month, leaving millions of pounds of rotting meat and causing severe odor, rodent, and insect problems in the surrounding neighborhood.
• Residents report overwhelming smells, large rats, and swarms of flies, leading to health concerns and disruptions to daily life, with some local businesses losing customers due to the stench.
• Despite efforts by Lineage, including odor-control measures and waste removal of over 1,500 tons, the cleanup is ongoing with weeks remaining, and air regulators have received nearly 1,000 complaints.
• Community members are calling for a mandatory evacuation to access more resources and protect health, but county officials say evacuation decisions rest with the city and many residents prefer to stay in their homes.
• Mayor Karen Bass announced Airbnb’s commitment of $1 million for emergency housing, yet skepticism remains among elected officials and residents about the adequacy and speed of the response.