Neighbors vent their frustrations over Boyle Heights warehouse fire aftermath

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (KABC) -- Neighbors affected by the aftermath of a massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights voiced their frustrations Wednesday during a hearing before the South Coast Air Quality Management District board.

Attendees at the hearing chanted "Lineage out" as they left the meeting to board buses home.

Lineage Logistics expects to spend between $80 million and $100 million on cleanup efforts following the massive warehouse fire, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

The AQMD board is considering an abatement order against Lineage Logistics, a move supported by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis and Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado.

Jurado said existing fines are insufficient to hold the company accountable.

"Lineage is being fined $1,000, $2,000 per day or even in some instances $500 a week, and what does that even mean to a multi-billion dollar company? We need to really put penalties if they fail to comply, fail to do the things that they are proposing to say in this meeting," Jurado said.

Jurado said she arranged transportation for about 30 to 40 people from her district to attend the hearing in Diamond Bar.

Several residents described what they said have been ongoing health and quality-of-life impacts since the fire.

"Since the toxic fire, my family has to deal with our windows sealed, doors closed, burning eyes, throat irritation, headaches to name some of the health factors that have come," said Yesenia, an East L.A. resident.

Amanda Diaz of Boyle Heights spoke while holding her infant son.

"When the fire started, he was only two weeks old," Diaz said. "Since then he's developed rashes and we had to take him to urgent care and the emergency room multiple times. He's only 2 months now. (He) doesn't know a life without this whole thing happening. He doesn't know good, clean, quality air."

The hearing also provided an opportunity for Lineage to update the AQMD board on its cleanup and odor mitigation efforts. The company said it has removed about 80% of the food waste at the site and expects to complete bulk food waste removal next week.

The hearing is scheduled to continue Thursday.