Members of law enforcement were spotted outside Lineage Cold Storage Solutions on Oct. 6, in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control, involved in a criminal investigation, visited the site recently.

Officers were observed inspecting warehouse offices before noon. They confirmed their presence was due to a criminal probe but did not disclose specific details. Concurrently, three representatives from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office were positioned at the facility’s office door. Two dark sedans blocked the entrance.

Lineage officials have not yet commented on the situation.

The warehouse was previously engulfed in a major fire starting June 17, which took about a week to extinguish. Several hurdles were faced, including solar panels on the roof failing to de-energize, hindering firefighter access, 50-foot-high stacks of frozen products posing risks, and an unexpected ammonia leak causing a shelter-in-place order.

After the fire, Lineage was tasked with urgently removing 89 million pounds of meat and food due to spoilage risks. Completion took over six weeks, during which local residents reported more rats, flies, and illnesses.

Los Angeles Fire Department investigators could not determine the fire’s cause but did not dismiss the possibility of the solar panels being involved.

Martín Ramírez, a car shop owner next to the warehouse, noted that early Tuesday morning the building was bustling with activity. It soon became unexpectedly empty shortly after.

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