Investigation Reveals Persistent Fire Issues at Cold Storage Giant Lineage

A significant fire at a food warehouse in Los Angeles in June was not an isolated incident, but rather one of many fires at properties linked to Lineage, a leading cold storage company, according to a CBS News investigation.

Federal records indicate that over the past decade, at least 63 fires have occurred at Lineage-managed properties worldwide. The company acknowledges 34 of these fires, including one in Finley, Washington, lasting nearly two months. The company’s safety practices are under increased scrutiny after the fire on June 17 in the Boyle Heights area of LA. Residents continue to deal with stubborn odors and pests, along with concerns about potential exposure to pollutants.

A local resident voiced dissatisfaction at a town hall, stating a failure across leadership levels from Lineage to government agencies.

At the time of the fire, Lineage was leasing the Boyle Heights warehouse, owned by Chill Build LLC. Lineage stated in a response to CBS News that it is actively managing odor and pest control at the site and expects improvements as cleanup progresses.

Residents of Boyle Heights have filed lawsuits against Lineage, Chill Build LLC, and involved contractors, alleging negligence in facility management leading to a preventable fire that released hazardous pollutants. Lineage contends that the fire began on the roof during work by a contractor for Altus Power, the owner of the rooftop solar system. Altus Power has yet to determine the fire’s cause but remains cooperative with authorities.

The fire grew to become one of the largest industrial incidents in recent Los Angeles history, burning for over a week and resulting in approximately 85 million pounds of spoiled food. Environmental health experts have raised alarms about the broader implications of the incident, particularly concerning air toxins and health risks.

Dr. Jill Johnston, an environmental health scientist at the University of California, Irvine, highlighted the significant public health burden of urban industrial fires.

Despite being recognized for its extensive global warehouse network and commitment to safety, Lineage’s track record is questioned due to recurring fires. CBS News identified numerous recent incidents involving Lineage’s facilities and equipment.

Government data reveals Lineage’s history of enforcement actions and penalties exceeding $4.5 million due to workplace and environmental safety violations. These issues include hazardous chemical releases, highlighted by a fatal ammonia leak in 2020 in North Carolina.

Experts emphasize the unique risks of cold storage warehouses, which often use toxic anhydrous ammonia for refrigeration. Johnston explained that while necessary for cooling, these chemicals pose explosion risks and could release harmful substances if mishandled.

Although Lineage reports continuous air quality monitoring and provided data indicating no significant community ammonia detection post-fire, Johnston pointed to elevated ammonia levels near the warehouse in the weeks following the incident.

The Environmental Protection Agency requested information from Lineage regarding its compliance with safety regulations and details of any chemical releases during the fire.

Unlike many industrial sites, cold storage warehouses are often situated close to residential and commercial areas to facilitate swift food distribution. In Boyle Heights, the warehouse is within a block of some homes.

Johnston described the situation as an unparalleled challenge in understanding and handling the toxins remaining in the community.

Lineage maintains that it has been consistently supportive of local communities during the emergency response, cleanup, and recovery phases. It highlights its safety performance as surpassing industry averages and emphasizes its commitment to maintaining high safety standards through a specialized team.