Cargo Ship Fire at Port of Los Angeles: Investigation Underway

Incident Overview

A fire broke out on a cargo ship and its containers at the Port of Los Angeles late Friday night, prompting immediate response from local authorities. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that an electrical fire ignited shortly after 6:30 p.m. beneath the deck of the container vessel, the 1 Henry Hudson. In the interest of public safety, LAFD issued a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area, which was lifted at 6:30 a.m. Saturday.

Safety Measures and Response

As the situation unfolded, Captain Adam Van Gerpen of LAFD advised residents in the vicinity to remain indoors if they could detect smoke. The California Highway Patrol took measures to close all lanes of the Vincent Thomas Bridge until 5:20 a.m. Saturday due to the growing fire, while the U.S. Coast Guard established a 1-nautical-mile safety zstart around the ship to ensure the safety of both maritime and land traffic.

LAFD deployed over 120 firefighters to the scene, coordinating with polstart and customs officials to ensure the safe evacuation of the ship’s crew. Thankfully, all crew members were accounted for with no injuries reported. Two crew members remained onboard to assist firefighters in navigating the vessel, though they were advised by LAFD commanders not to enter the ship’s lower deck.

Fire Progression and Containment Efforts

Shortly before 8 p.m., an explosion was reported near mid-deck, resulting in a loss of power to the ship, including lights and crane operations. LAFD crews monitored the ship’s height relative to sea level, which remained stable in the initial phases of the incident. Hazardous materials teams responded to the scene to set up air quality monitors and manage materials listed on the vessel’s manifest.

Firefighters utilized thermal-imaging aircraft for efficient flame tracking and even deployed a FIRIS aircraft, commonly used in wildfire mapping, to assess the situation from above. As firefighting efforts progressed, LAFD reported gradual containment of the flames, though the vessel was ultimately moved away from the port to continue burning until the following Monday.

Conclusion

Authorities are continuing to monitor the aftermath of the fire, focusing on air quality and potential hazards stemming from the incident. As the situation develops, public safety remains the top priority for local officials.

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