A blaze erupted aboard a container ship holding hazardous materials Friday night in the Port of Los Angeles, prompting the response of more than 100 firefighters. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) says that as of 8:34 p.m. PT, all crew members are accounted for, with no injuries reported.
Newsweek reached out to the Port of Los Angeles via phone on Friday for comment and left a message.
Why It Matters
The fire at the Los Angeles port highlights ongoing risks in maritime shipping, particularly where hazardous materials and complex, multilevel cargo vessels are involved.
The event underscores the dangers firefighters face and raises questions about safety protocol for both ship crews and first responders at one of the nation’s busiest ports. The potential for environmental hazards and operational disruption makes this a matter of urgency for local officials and the maritime industry.
What To Know
A fire broke out aboard the container ship 1 Henry Hudson, docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. According to the LAFD, the alarm was raised about 7:13 p.m., when smoke and flames were reported in several cargo bays. The crew reported the blaze at 6:38 p.m., LAFD says.
More than 100 firefighters responded, including marine units, and hazardous materials were identified within the affected areas of the vessel, based on the ship’s manifest.
“Fire can be seen outside the ship in several bays at this time. Hazardous materials have been identified in involved bays, per the ship’s manifest,” the LAFD said in an 8 p.m. update.
All firefighting personnel operated in encapsulated suits and utilized self-contained breathing apparatuses due to the added risk of toxic exposure, the department added.
At 7:58 p.m., an explosion rocked the mid-deck, resulting in power and lighting failures and impacting crane operations.
“Progress on fire containment is slow, but the ship’s height in the water is being monitored and has been noted stable (despite the large amount of water used for fire suppression),” LAFD said in an update.
” LAFD HazMat companies are monitoring air quality as suppression efforts continue on the ship’s sub-levels,” the fire department also noted.
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
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