Nearly 1,000 odor complaints have been filed with South Coast AQMD as neighbors demand faster cleanup, stronger odor controls, and more transparency from Lineage.
“The smell this morning is horrible! #Lineage.”
“We have to keep calling every day to report the smell.”
“Keep calling and emailing the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). Almost 1,000 resident odor complaints have been filed over the Lineage stench in Boyle Heights.”
These are just some of the dozens of messages appearing daily on social media from Boyle Heights residents who say they are struggling with the putrid odor spreading around the Lineage cold-storage warehouse that was severely damaged by fire.
For many neighbors, the issue is no longer just the warehouse fire itself — it is the ongoing impact of the cleanup, the smell, and the uncertainty of when life will return to normal.
“It’s pretty bad. It’s awful,” said Anna Ruiz, a lifelong Boyle Heights resident who lives only a few blocks from the burned facility.
Ruiz says the odor has affected her family’s daily life and the health of residents who live nearby.
“It’s a situation we are living with 24 hours a day. It is affecting our health, our way of living. We have always wanted a decent place to live, but the conditions we are experiencing now are not acceptable,” Ruiz said.
“I feel sorry for the children, the seniors, and vulnerable people. It seems like this will not end soon. The 45 days authorities gave for the cleanup is not realistic. This could last months. We don’t know how long.”
Her concerns are shared by many residents and small business owners in the Boyle Heights community who say the smell has disrupted their homes, businesses, and daily routines.
Nearly 1,000 Odor Complaints Filed Over Lineage Warehouse Fire
More than 900 odor complaints were filed with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) in recent weeks, and the agency has issued multiple notices of violation against Lineage for public nuisance violations.
According to South Coast AQMD, Lineage has been directed to implement additional odor-control measures and improve its response to community concerns.
With temperatures rising, neighbors say the situation has become even more difficult. Residents have reported a strong decomposing-food odor, along with concerns about flies and rodents attracted to the spoiled contents of the damaged facility.
“For weeks, South Coast AQMD has worked with Lineage to provide technical recommendations and actions designed to reduce odors generated during the removal of decomposing food waste,” the agency said in a statement.
“While Lineage has implemented some odor-reducing measures, the company has not yet incorporated several key actions requested by South Coast AQMD.”
Residents Say Cleanup Timeline Is Too Long
While elected officials and company representatives continue releasing updates about cleanup efforts, many Boyle Heights residents say their daily reality remains unchanged.
“Neither Mayor Bass nor other officials can do much. This is a disaster that we are going to have to live with for a long time,” Ruiz said.
“It is very difficult for us. We need a lot of patience to endure this situation. I already have to go to medical appointments because of the effects this situation has caused me.”
Ruiz questioned whether officials fully understood the severity of what was inside the warehouse before the cleanup began.
“The unbearable smell is going to be something people talk about for a long time,” she said.
Ruiz said she has taken steps to protect herself and her family, including leaving her home at times.
“There are occasions when I escape to my mother’s house, which is a few miles away, just to breathe better and feel better,” she said.
“I would like to move. Relocation is going to be the key for many of us. We cannot continue living like this. At this moment, there is no way out.”
Cleanup Continues, But Residents Want More Action
The cleanup at the burned Lineage cold-storage warehouse in Boyle Heights continues, but residents say they are still dealing with a powerful odor caused by millions of pounds of spoiled food left inside the damaged facility.
Authorities have said removing the waste is a complicated process because the building remains dangerous and the material must be handled under strict safety and environmental regulations.
Many Boyle Heights residents describe the smell as overwhelming, comparing it to rotten food or garbage. They say it has affected outdoor activities, businesses, and their quality of life.
Community leaders and council members have urged Lineage to provide more transparency about the cleanup schedule, odor-control measures, and pest-management efforts.
For residents living near the warehouse, the biggest question remains unanswered: How long will they have to endure the smell before their neighborhood feels like home again?
