A fire erupted Friday evening on the container ship “1 Henry Hudson” docked at the Port of Los Angeles, sending more than 100 firefighters to the scene and leaving several crew members unaccounted for, officials said. All crew members have now been safely accounted for.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the blaze was first observed around 7:13 p.m. Smoke and flames were visible in multiple cargo bays on the ship. Hazardous materials were present in the affected areas, according to the ship’s manifest, prompting firefighters to operate fully encapsulated in protective suits and breathing apparatus.
Marine units worked to cool the ship’s exterior to help make conditions safer onboard, but Incident Command prohibited crews from going below deck because of the fire’s intensity. At 7:58 p.m., an explosion on the mid-deck disrupted power, lights, and crane operations, the LAFD said.
Fire containment has been slow, though authorities reported that the ship’s stability in the water remained steady despite the large volume of water being used to fight the fire.
“The city is fully mobilized and working with our partners at the port to ensure the safety of the crew and the surrounding community,” Mayor Bass said in a statement on X.
Authorities continue to monitor the fire and are urging the public to avoid the area as crews work to bring the situation under control.
