A fire aboard the container ship One Henry Hudson at the Port of Los Angeles led to a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby communities on concerns regarding hazardous materials. Fortunately, all 23 crew members were accounted for, and there were no reported injuries related to the electrical fire, stated the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The incident occurred in the early hours, prompting swift action from local authorities. A safety zone of one nautical mile was established around the vessel by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure the safety of the public and emergency responders. According to the fire department, the blaze originated below deck and spread to multiple levels of the ship, culminating in an explosion mid-deck. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Evacuation Order Lifted
After several hours of containment efforts, Mayor Karen Bass announced the lifting of the shelter-in-place order for the port communities of Wilmington and San Pedro. “The shelter in place order has been lifted for the Los Angeles port communities,” Bass communicated via social media platform X. She expressed gratitude for the quick response of the firefighting teams, which included more than 100 firefighters who worked tirelessly throughout the night to control the fire.
The 336-metre-long vessel is operated by One Ocean Express, a shipping company based in Singapore. Before arriving in Los Angeles, the ship had made stops in Japan, including Kobe, Nagoya, and Tokyo. The incident underscores the challenges faced by emergency services in managing potential hazards associated with maritime cargo.
Firefighters continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that all safety protocols are adhered to as they assess the aftermath of the incident. The Port of Los Angeles is recognized as the busiest seaport in North America, handling a significant amount of cargo daily, making the effective response to such emergencies critical for both public safety and trade operations.
As investigations proceed, local officials remain vigilant about ensuring the safety of the surrounding communities and the integrity of operations within the port.
