Cleanup efforts at a fire-damaged cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights have been paused amid disputes between facility management and a solar panel subcontractor allegedly linked to the blaze. The June 17 fire, which consumed the warehouse’s rooftop solar equipment, prompted emergency orders for demolition and debris removal in late June, but progress has since stalled.

Lineage, the company managing the warehouse, stated in a letter sent Friday to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and County Supervisor Hilda Solis that demolition was ready to begin last week under required permits and directives but was halted following a notice received Thursday. Greg Lehmkuhl, Lineage’s chief executive, accused Altus Power, the solar subcontractor whose equipment is a suspected ignition source, of obstructing remediation efforts. According to Lehmkuhl, the planned demolition would not interfere with preservation of potential evidence linked to the fire’s cause. He emphasized the company’s commitment to a swift and safe cleanup, stressing that public safety remains the top priority.

In response, an Altus Power spokesperson expressed concern for community health and underscored the company's cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The spokesperson highlighted calls from multiple parties urging Lineage to preserve relevant evidence at the site and criticized Lineage for appearing more focused on assigning blame than on facilitating cleanup and delivering answers to affected residents. The spokesperson noted that the fire’s official cause has yet to be determined.

Mayor Bass addressed Lineage’s letter by reiterating that the city does not require demolition of any area pertinent to the investigation but expects the company to prioritize controlling flare-ups and removing decomposing food waste that poses health risks. She affirmed that no court order restricts such cleanup activities.

Local officials have voiced growing concerns over the prolonged remediation process. Boyle Heights Councilmember Ysabel Jurado called on all involved parties—including Lineage, Altus Power, the property owner, and regulatory agencies—to cooperate fully and avoid letting disputes delay cleanup. Jurado urged the creation of clear protocols to balance evidence preservation with urgent remediation, emphasizing the community’s immediate needs.

The warehouse fire, which took firefighters nearly a week to contain, released significant amounts of smoke and odors from millions of pounds of spoiled food stored on site. Residents have raised alarms about potential health impacts, with some advocating for the warehouse’s permanent closure. The timeline for complete cleanup remains uncertain, as do the long-term environmental and public health consequences stemming from the fire and subsequent pollution.