Bad Odor Permeates Post-Fire Public Market Neighborhood

The fire is out. The cleanup has begun. But neighbors are noticing a rotting smell coming from the Lake Chabot Public Market since it burned out in a fire at the end of May.

On May 30, 2024, a devastating three-alarm fire engulfed the Lake Chabot Public Market, collapsing the roof and destroying six businesses. Hans Cho, owner of Mama Cho's BBQ and whose family owns the Public Market, confirmed in June that there is a plan to rebuild, though no timeline has been announced.

Even after the clean-up work and the removal of the source of the fire and affected objects, there is often a smell of burning in the air. The smell may come from burnt furniture, textiles, and even walls, floors, and ceilings. 

However, while debris is being cleared from the wreckage, neighbors like Kalvin Pespitro say the smell coming from the debris smelled like “something was decomposing” and was becoming “unbearable.”

“I know that the building recently suffered from a fire, but the smell has been like that for the past few weeks now,” Pespitro told the Forum on June 18. In addition to writing letters to the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (CV MAC) and a few other politicians, he added that he filed a complaint with Alameda County Health (ACHEALTH).

In an email from ACHEALTH obtained by the Forum, the county’s Environmental Health Department team noted that the business “has been directed to apply for a permit with the Building Department and implement demolition of the site.” 

Separately, Alameda County Assistant Planning Director Edward Labayog said he met with the Cho family to discuss next steps.

“They have an environmental crew on site, and they are starting to clear out the freezers,” Labayog said. “According to them, this should be done in the next couple of days, and the odor should be eliminated. We will monitor the site. Please let us know if the smell persists in the coming days.”  

As of last Thursday, a pungent smell was still noticeable from the sidewalk adjacent to the Public Market, but not much further than a block from the site.

In the meantime, public support has increased for the Cho family and the various business owners at the Public Market. Go-Fund-Me campaigns have been set up for Shumi Ramen and Poke Go. Each one has raised more than $8,000 to help support their businesses recover. Several elementary schools, youth sports teams, and community groups have posted signs of support outside the market's green privacy fence.