LOS ANGELES (AP) — A fire that broke out aboard the One Henry Hudson container ship in Los Angeles has continued to burn, leading officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for nearby communities due to concerns over hazardous materials contained in the ship's cargo.
All 23 crew members have been accounted for and there have been no reported injuries from the electrical fire according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Hazardous materials aboard the vessel have been identified, prompting the necessary precautions.
Just before 3 a.m., Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the emergency order for those living near the port area, specifically the communities of San Pedro and Wilmington. “Remain at home, keep your windows closed, and turn off HVAC systems,” she stated on social media.
The U.S. Coast Guard has indicated that a safety zone of one nautical mile has been established around the vessel.
Initial investigations suggest that the fire started below deck before spreading to multiple levels of the ship, ultimately causing an explosion mid-deck. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Over 100 firefighters have been engaged to combat the blaze at the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest seaport in North America, with efforts continuing into the overnight hours.
The One Henry Hudson is a 1,102-foot-long vessel operated by One Ocean Express, a shipping company based in Singapore. Prior to its arrival in Los Angeles, the ship had made stops in Japan, including Kobe, Nagoya, and Tokyo. An inquiry to One Ocean Express has not yet received a response.
