Cleanup under way as Boyle Heights warehouse fire leaves rotting food and stench

A weeklong fire at a Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse has been knocked down, but cleanup reveals millions of pounds of rotting food, a foul odor and fears of vermin and lingering health hazards. While air-quality monitoring has not shown elevated particulates so far, residents worry about long‑term health impacts and environmental justice implications as public health officials assist with the cleanup and the site is prepared to be handed back to the tenant and owner.