Cargo Ship Fire Prompts Major Response at Port of Los Angeles
A large fire erupted on a cargo ship at the Port of los Angeles Friday evening, triggering a massive emergency response. As of 8:30 p.m., 186 Los Angeles fire Department (LAFD) firefighters were battling the blaze aboard the 1,100-foot container ship, identified as the Henry Hudson.
The fire was first reported at 6:38 p.m. and originated below deck, believed too be caused by an electrical malfunction. Shortly before 8 p.m., an explosion occurred on the vessel, disrupting power to onboard lights and cranes.The ship contains hazardous materials within several of the affected cargo containers, necessitating the use of protective suits and oxygen masks by all firefighting personnel. Specialized hazardous materials teams are actively monitoring air quality around the port.
Firefighters are focusing on cooling the exterior of the ship to improve conditions for crews attempting to suppress the fire in the lower levels. As of 8 p.m., incident command had ordered all firefighters to remain off the ship’s lower decks due to the ongoing danger. Containment efforts were described as slow-moving at that time, though the vessel was not in danger of sinking despite meaningful water usage.
Authorities are utilizing drones equipped with thermal imaging to assess the extent of the fire and aid in the emergency response.
Earlier in the evening, six crew members were reported missing. LAFD confirmed at 8:30 p.m. that all 23 crew members had been located and safely evacuated from the ship, with no injuries reported.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a one-nautical-mile safety perimeter around the Henry Hudson. The ship, flagged in Panama, arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday after a voyage from Tokyo, according to Vessel Finder data.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the city is closely monitoring the situation. California Governor gavin Newsom has been briefed on the incident, and his office is coordinating with local authorities to provide support.
This is a developing situation and will be updated as more facts becomes available.
