health

Company's safety record raises questions after massive fire at L.A. food warehouse

Updated on: August 5, 2026 / 8:00 PM EDT / CBS News

Company's safety record raises questions after massive fire at L.A. food warehouse

TL;DR

  • A CBS News investigation identified at least 63 fires at Lineage properties over the past decade.
  • The June 17 fire at a Los Angeles food warehouse has heightened concerns about the company's safety record.
  • Residents near the LA fire are experiencing lingering odors and potential health impacts.
  • Lineage has faced millions in penalties for alleged workplace safety and environmental violations since 2014.
  • An ammonia leak at a Lineage facility in 2020 resulted in a worker's death.
  • Cold storage warehouses pose unique risks due to the use of anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems.
  • Lineage is currently involved in cleanup and recovery efforts at the LA site and is facing lawsuits from residents.
  • Environmental experts express concerns about the cumulative impact of such industrial disasters in urban areas.