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Fire Erupts on ONE Henry Hudson at Port of Los Angeles, Forcing Massive Emergency Response
A major fire broke out aboard the 8,212 TEU containership ONE Henry Hudson late Friday evening while the vessel was berthed at Yusen Container Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles. The incident triggered a large-scale emergency operation involving nearly 200 firefighters, multiple fireboats, and specialized HazMat teams, along with a temporary shelter-in-place order for surrounding neighborhoods.
Fire Origin and Onboard Explosion
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the blaze began below deck around 6:38 p.m., likely caused by an electrical malfunction. The fire spread through several sublevels of the ship, making access difficult for emergency crews.
A mid-deck explosion further complicated firefighting efforts by disabling onboard lighting systems and crane operations, leaving parts of the vessel in complete darkness.
Hazardous Materials Heighten Risk
HazMat teams identified containers holding hazardous materials, increasing the urgency and complexity of the response. Continuous air-quality monitoring was carried out along the waterfront and nearby urban areas.
Despite the severity of the fire, all 23 crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.
Ship Towed Offshore to Reduce Port Risk
By early Saturday morning, tugboats moved ONE Henry Hudson to an anchorage near Angel’s Gate Lighthouse, allowing responders to continue cooling and containment operations away from critical port infrastructure.
The Port of Los Angeles announced that the shelter-in-place advisory for local residents had been lifted. Four of the port’s seven container terminals have already resumed normal operations, while monitoring continues offshore.
