Owners of a Los Angeles warehouse, Lineage Logistics, have submitted applications to rebuild the facility, one month after a significant fire. This request has drawn criticism from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who stated earlier this week that cleanup efforts should precede any rebuilding.
The fire, which occurred in June, left a persistent stench of rotting food, with residents comparing the smell of 85 million pounds of spoiled food to a “dead body.” The area is reportedly affected by rats, flies, and odors. The Los Angeles county department of public health announced it would begin fining Lineage up to $2,000 per day if “underlying” problems at the facility are not resolved. The department has already issued $4,500 in fines for unsanitary conditions and pest control issues.
Lineage Logistics stated on July 25 that food waste in the burned-out area had been cleared and demolition of the remaining warehouse would begin this week. A company representative said the application to repair damage is a normal part of the process and will not affect cleanup efforts. The city has not yet approved or denied the permits.