LOS ANGELES (Echosphere News) — A fire that erupted on the One Henry Hudson container ship in Los Angeles continues to burn, prompting authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for nearby communities due to concerns about hazardous materials within the ship’s cargo.
Thankfully, all 23 crew members on board the ship are safe, and there have been no reported injuries from the electrical fire, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Hazardous materials have been identified aboard the vessel, which is currently docked at the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest seaport in North America.
Mayor Karen Bass announced a shelter-in-place order around 3 a.m., advising residents in San Pedro and Wilmington to stay indoors, close windows, and turn off HVAC systems to avoid exposure to potentially dangerous fumes.
An operational safety zone has been established by the U.S. Coast Guard, extending one nautical mile around the affected ship. Fire officials indicated that the fire likely began below deck and escalated through several levels, culminating in a mid-deck explosion. The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Over 100 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze, which has persisted throughout the night. The One Henry Hudson, a 1,102-foot-long vessel, is operated by One Ocean Express, a Singapore-based shipping company. Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, it made stops in Japan, including Kobe, Nagoya, and Tokyo. Responses from One Ocean Express regarding the incident have yet to be received.
