More than 180 firefighters are battling a significant fire that broke out on a cargo ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles, which is renowned for being North America’s busiest port. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that the electrical fire ignited on the lower deck of the cargo ship One Henry Hudson at 6:38 p.m. local time on Friday evening.
Shortly before 8 p.m., an explosion rocked the vessel, leading to a power outage that affected both lights and cranes onboard, as stated by LAFD officials. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, and all 23 crew members were successfully evacuated from the ship. Following the incident, the Port of Los Angeles announced the suspension of operations at four of its seven container terminals, establishing a safety zone around the ship to ensure public safety.
Fire department Captain Adam Van Gerpen addressed the media, explaining that many of the fireboats have been deployed to the scene to cool down the vessel. He highlighted the complexity of the firefighting efforts, noting that several cargo containers involved in the blaze contained hazardous materials. This necessitated that firefighters don protective suits and oxygen masks to safeguard their health while battling the flames.
As the firefighting efforts continued overnight, air quality was being closely monitored due to the hazardous materials associated with the fire. By 11 p.m., the LAFD made the decision to order all firefighters off the deck for their safety. The situation escalated further when, by midnight, authorities recommended that residents in San Pedro and Wilmington shelter in place due to the potential risks posed by the fire.
The fire department issued urgent instructions for residents: “Get inside IMMEDIATELY and close all windows and doors. Turn off air conditioning and heating. Bring all people and pets to an inside room until you receive further instructions,” emphasizing the need for caution due to the hazardous materials involved.
In addition to the LAFD, other emergency response teams, including the Long Beach Fire Department, Los Angeles Port Police, and the US Coast Guard, are actively engaged in managing the incident. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement via X (formerly Twitter), assuring the public that the city is diligently monitoring the unfolding situation. Moreover, California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the incident, as confirmed by his office.
The Panama-flagged cargo ship, built in 2008, had recently arrived from Tokyo, according to the online tracker Vessel Finder. The ongoing response efforts aim to control the fire and ensure the safety of both the crew and the surrounding communities.