{
  "id": 353253,
  "title": "Tonnes of rotting food from vast LA warehouse fire creates unbearable stench",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/tonnes-of-rotting-food-from-vast-la-warehouse-fire-creates-unbearable-353253",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T06:29:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/tonnes-of-rotting-food-from-vast-la-warehouse-fire-creates-unbearable-stench/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Los Angeles, a massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights has left behind an enormous amount of rotting food, causing an unbearable stench that has affected residents and businesses in the area. The fire destroyed a cold-storage warehouse on June 17, resulting in around 85 million pounds (39 million kilograms) of spoiled food, including meat and seafood. The cleanup process has been slower than anticipated, leaving locals frustrated with the unpleasant odor.\n\nMesha, a security guard, described the smell as \"really bad, like really bad...to the point that you want to throw up,\" comparing it to the stench of a dead body. The company operating the warehouse, Lineage, reported that by Monday, about 80% of the waste had been removed. However, city officials claim Lineage's response has fallen short and has issued public health and safety violation notices.\n\nThe fire has also impacted local businesses, such as coffee stand owner Alexis Sicairos, who had to shut down his business temporarily due to the warehouse fire. The smell and presence of flies have deterred customers from visiting his stand, despite its reopening. The city has issued fines and directed resources to expedite the cleanup, but Lineage has responded by stating that they are still working diligently to complete the task.",
  "summary": "On any typical day, Alexis Sicairos and his girlfriend have a line of patrons waiting to order a banana buzz latte or a cloud matcha at their Los Angeles coffee stand. But now, the street corner where they sit is largely empty. The reason is clear the second you walk into the neighbourhood: it stinks. [...] The post Tonnes of rotting food from vast LA warehouse fire creates unbearable stench…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/353253.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}