A criminal investigation was being conducted Tuesday at the burned-out Lineage Logistics warehouse in Boyle Heights, according to multiple reports.
The probe was being led by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control’s Office of Criminal Investigations, NBC4 reported, but personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office were also seen at the shuttered warehouse Tuesday morning.
“We are aware of reports of law enforcement activity at the Lineage warehouse site in Boyle Heights,” said City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who represents the area. “We understand the concern these reports are causing, particularly for workers and their families. We are working to verify which agencies are involved, the purpose of the activity, and whether there are any immediate impacts on workers or nearby residents. We will share confirmed information as it becomes available. Boyle Heights deserves clear answers and a recovery that puts community health and safety first.”
Further information about the investigation was not immediately available.
A fire erupted June 17 at the Lineage Logistics facility at 1400 S. Los Palos St. It raged for days and led to millions of pounds of rotting food, impacting nearby residents. Lineage eventually completed a massive cleanup effort at the site.
The cause of the fire remains officially undetermined, but investigators found that the blaze originated on the roof at or near a section of solar panels. Lineage has sued Altus Power Inc., owner of the solar array on the building’s roof, and contractor Pearce Services, alleging they were responsible for starting the fire.
A representative of Los Palos Street Operating, an Altus subsidiary, has disputed Lineage’s allegations and said the company would contest the claims in court.