LOS ANGELES (AP) — A fire that broke out aboard a Los Angeles container ship on Friday continued to burn overnight, prompting a shelter-in-place order for surrounding communities over concerns about hazardous materials within the ship’s cargo.
All 23 crew members of the ship were accounted for, and there were no injuries reported from the electrical fire, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Officials confirmed that hazardous materials were identified aboard the vessel, the One Henry Hudson.
Just before 3 a.m., Mayor Karen Bass announced a shelter-in-place order for the areas around the port, including San Pedro and Wilmington. “Remain at home, keep windows closed, and turn off HVAC systems,” she stated.
The U.S. Coast Guard established a safety zone of one nautical mile around the vessel as firefighters continued their efforts through the night.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fire appeared to have started below deck and spread through several levels of the ship, culminating in a mid-deck explosion. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
More than 100 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze at the Port of Los Angeles, which is known as the busiest seaport in North America. Their relentless efforts have been ongoing as they work to bring the fire under control.
The 1,102-foot-long (336-meter-long) vessel is operated by One Ocean Express, a shipping company based in Singapore. The ship had most recently sailed from Japan, making stops in Kobe, Nagoya, and Tokyo before reaching Los Angeles.
One Ocean Express has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
