A significant emergency unfolded at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday night as a massive fire broke out aboard a large cargo ship, prompting a huge response from nearly 200 firefighters.
Emergency Response and Crew Evacuation
The alarm was raised at approximately 6:38 pm local time after an electrical fire ignited below deck on the vessel. The ship, identified as the M/V ONE HENRY HUDSON, was carrying hazardous cargo at the time. Authorities confirmed that all 23 crew members were successfully evacuated from the 1,102-foot-long ship and no injuries were reported.
The situation escalated rapidly, with the fire spreading to several levels of the ship within about half an hour. The incident was then declared a major emergency. Officials reported that the blaze was accelerated by an explosion that rocked the vessel's mid-deck, complicating firefighting efforts.
Ongoing Operations and Environmental Concerns
Fire suppression teams worked tirelessly to contain the inferno. Given the nature of the ship's cargo, LAFD Hazardous Materials companies were deployed to monitor air quality around the clock as a precautionary measure. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged the efforts of the first responders at the scene.
The Port of Los Angeles, recognised as the busiest port in North America, was the site of the dramatic incident. The involved vessel is operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE), a shipping company headquartered in Singapore. A spokeswoman for ONE stated that the company is “deeply concerned by this incident” and is closely monitoring the situation, confirming the crew's safety and pledging support for the investigation. Prior to its arrival in Los Angeles, the ship had made stops in several Japanese ports, including Kobe, Nagoya, and Tokyo.
