Those responsible for Boyle Heights fire in Los Angeles will be "held accountable," Mayor Karen Bass says

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says she will hold those responsible for the destructive Boyle Heights warehouse fire accountable as safety concerns continue to drag on for nearby residents. 

At a Monday news conference, she announced a deadline for biohazardous cleanup and said the city is pursuing legal options for cost recovery and penalties. She assured that experts from every level of government have been assembled to coordinate the cleanup, monitor air and water quality, safely remove hazardous waste, and protect workers, while ensuring transparency. 

Fire crews knocked down the bulk of the fire last Wednesday at the 500,000-square-foot Lineage Big Bear cold storage facility at 1400 S. Los Palos Street, which started about a week prior. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said on Monday that a complete knockdown has not yet been declared, as hotspots smolder inside the building. Using water cannons, "We've increased the pressure and reduced the volume," he said. "We believe it will be (out) in the next couple of days."

As of Monday, no cause of the blaze has been determined by fire officials, although Lineage said that the fire may have originated from work being performed by a third-party contractor handling solar panels on the roof.

The solar array on the building is owned by Los Palos Street Operating, LLC, which is a subsidiary of Altus Power, Lineage told CBS LA. In a statement, Altus reiterated that the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

"Our first concern is for the residents of Boyle Heights, everyone affected by this fire, and for the firefighters working to contain it. The cause of the fire where our rooftop solar array is located at the Los Palos Street facility has yet to be determined," the statement said. "We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they investigate." 

Moore said an arson investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and origin.

Bass laid out two executive orders on Monday, with the first to urgently mobilize community health resources and expand air quality monitoring. She also announced the launch of  "remediation work and a long-term environmental monitoring program for this community, laying the groundwork for long-term accountability, regulatory reform, and preparedness improvements across the city's industrial corridor."

The mayor's second executive order establishes a centralized recovery commission, aggressive cleanup deadlines, and "the order also positions the city to recover every eligible cost from the responsible parties," she said.  A 45-day timeline was set for the removal of all biohazardous food waste, with the city attorney directed to pursue all legal options in cost recovery and penalties.  

"Environmental hazards from industrial disasters too often fall on communities like Boyle Heights," Bass said. "Those responsible will be held accountable, and the City is working with an array of organizations to provide resources to the families and business owners who desperately need them. The ongoing recovery and remediation will be shaped by the people who call this community home."

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said it would continue to work with environmental and regulatory partners throughout the cleanup and recovery process.

"Public Health will respond to community health concerns, including vermin complaints, and help ensure the spoiled food is properly removed and disposed of in compliance with applicable public health and environmental regulations," the department said.

Smoke from the fire created urgent health concerns as it burned. However, city council member Ysabel Jurado, who represents the area, is still worried about the remaining and long-term effects.

"The fire may be knocked down, but this crisis is not over for the families, workers, students, and small businesses living with the odor, pests, truck traffic, and uncertainty left behind," Jurado said. "As 85 million pounds of spoiled food are removed from this site, my priority is making sure the cleanup is safe, transparent, and accountable to the people of Boyle Heights — not just to the agencies or the company responsible for this property. Residents deserve clear testing results, strong public health protections, real resources, and a recovery process shaped by the community most impacted."

In an earlier news release, Bass said resources will soon be provided for those in the area. She, as well as Gov. Gavin Newsom, declared local and state emergencies as the fire burned in order to free up additional resources and agencies.

Lineage says cleanup efforts, pest control work is underway

On Monday, Lineage officials shared a lengthy message detailing their response and recovery efforts that began over the weekend. 

"Boyle Heights is not just where we operate. Lineage has been part of this neighborhood for over 20 years and the greater Los Angeles area for even longer, employing thousands of residents and contributing to the economic life of this city," Lineage's statement from president and CEO Greg Lehmkuhl said. "We are committed to his community during this recovery, and beyond."

They said that crews have been removing food from the building with sealed, watertight containers to mitigate odor and runoff. Other personnel are working to remove firefighting debris surrounding the building. 

Lineage officials said that their top priority as of Monday night was addressing the stench permeating over Boyle Heights due to the spoiled food. They said that misting systems are being installed around the facility's perimeter and inside, and that deodorizers were being applied to food as it was removed from the building.

"We cannot tell you exactly how long the full cleanup will take," the statement continued to note. "What we can tell you is this: there are people on site working on this recovery 24/7, and we will report back to you on what was accomplished and what to expect next."

As for the swarms of rats that have been spotted infiltrating the building, Lineage says that they're in touch with multiple pest control agencies and are "actively developing a plan" to manage the issue. 

Aerial footage captured the extensive cleanup process on Monday morning, with crews utilizing heavy-duty equipment like tractors to dispose of the massive amounts of food that spoiled after the fire began nearly two weeks earlier.