Boyle Heights cleanup halts

Lineage, which operates the fire-ravaged cold storage warehouse, accuses solar panel subcontractor of obstructing demolition efforts

- JASMINE MENDEZ

Photographs by GENARO MOLINA Los Angeles Times A BICYCLIST looks over at Lineage's cold storage warehouse, which was damaged in the June 17 blaze.

Cleanup efforts at a fire-ravaged cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights just got messier.

In a letter sent Friday, Greg Lehmkuhl-chief executive of Lineage, which manages the facility - accused Altus Power, the solar panel subcontractor whose rooftop equipment is suspected of possibly sparking the June 17 blaze, of obstructing demolition efforts.

According to the letter, which was addressed to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and county Supervisor Hilda Solis, Lineage was prepared and had the necessary permits to begin demolition work at the site Friday, as required under emergency executive orders and a Los Angeles County public health directive issued June 29.

"Unlike Altus and other involved parties, Lineage has been on the front lines since day one, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to execute a safe and swift remediation effort," Lehmkuhl wrote.

An Altus spokesperson said Friday that the company's primary concern is the well-being of the community affected by the fire, adding that it is cooperating with local officials as the investigation continues.