Los Angeles officials conducted a search on Tuesday at the site of a large warehouse fire that burned for nearly a week in June, destroying millions of pounds of frozen food and releasing a lingering noxious odor into the nearby Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles neighborhoods. The search warrant was executed as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident, which has raised concerns over environmental and public health impacts.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office reported its involvement alongside the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), a state agency responsible for hazardous materials regulation. Investigators were present at the cold storage facility, operated by Lineage Logistics, but officials did not disclose specific details about what the search was targeting. The DA’s office primarily handles criminal prosecutions, while the DTSC’s criminal investigations unit focuses on regulatory enforcement related to hazardous waste.
The June 17 fire caused extensive disruption to the surrounding communities, forcing many residents to seek emergency medical care due to symptoms including nosebleeds, respiratory difficulties, nausea, and eye irritation. Some also reported mental health challenges stemming from the incident. The aftermath was marked by the decay of 88 million pounds of frozen food, which emitted a persistent foul smell until cleanup was completed in late August.
Local leaders and residents have criticized the response to the fire as inadequate. In the immediate aftermath, officials distributed masks, air filters, and offered temporary housing to those nearest the site, but many community members described these measures as insufficient. Mayor Karen Bass has publicly acknowledged resident frustrations and pledged to hold Lineage and other responsible parties accountable. In June, she issued an emergency executive order instructing the City Attorney to collaborate with the DTSC on a formal investigation and has threatened legal action against Lineage.
Lineage Logistics has attributed the fire’s origin to rooftop solar panels undergoing maintenance at the time. The company has filed a lawsuit against Altus Power, the owner of the solar panels. While the Los Angeles Fire Department’s investigation was inconclusive regarding the fire’s cause, it did not exclude the possibility of the panels’ involvement.
Community groups have raised concerns about the potential release of toxic substances, particularly ammonia used in the refrigeration system. Lineage maintains it drained ammonia from the system before the fire reached it and that subsequent tests have not detected harmful levels of the chemical. The company emphasized that it stores only food products and does not house hazardous chemicals at the facility.
On the same day as the search, a coalition of environmental groups, including California Communities Against Toxics, filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alleging inadequate responses to requests for information on chemicals released during the fire. The coalition is also pursuing similar litigation against local agencies in state courts. The EPA did not provide an immediate comment.
The presence of officials at the warehouse initially sparked concern among residents in Boyle Heights, a predominantly Latino and immigrant community, with some fearing action by immigration authorities. However, officers clarified they were with the District Attorney’s Office and not Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Local resident Claudia Mancia expressed support for the investigation, describing it as a step toward justice for the affected community.