A significant Port of Los Angeles Fire aboard the container ship ONE HENRY HUDSON on Friday evening, November 21, 2025, necessitated a large-scale, multi-agency response and temporarily disrupted Port of Los Angeles operations. The blaze, which started below deck and spread across multiple sublevels, was exacerbated by a mid-deck explosion that knocked out onboard power, contributing to the complexity of the Port of Los Angeles Fire. Understanding the response to this Port of Los Angeles Fire is crucial for maritime safety and effective emergency response.
Coordinated Emergency Response to Port of Los Angeles Fire
The incident began around 6:38 p.m. when an electrical fire was reported aboard the 8,212 TEU vessel while it was docked at Berth 218 within the Yusen Container Terminal. The Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) was the first on the scene, quickly establishing a Unified Command for the Port of Los Angeles Fire with critical partners including the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the Los Angeles Port Police, and representatives of the ship’s operator, Ocean Network Express (ONE). This coordinated effort was vital in managing the unfolding Port of Los Angeles Fire.
Additional support was provided by the Long Beach Fire Department, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Los Angeles Police Department. Over 180 firefighters, supported by specialized marine units, heavy rescue, HazMat teams, and air operations, worked to suppress the flames from land, sea, and air. Fireboats continuously sprayed water on the vessel’s exterior to aid cooling efforts during the Port of Los Angeles Fire, a critical component of the maritime safety incident.
Hazardous Materials and Safety Protocols during the Port of Los Angeles Fire
Concerns over hazardous materials within the ship’s cargo led to a precautionary shelter-in-place order for nearby communities in San Pedro and Wilmington due to the Port of Los Angeles Fire. Firefighters operated in full protective gear and utilized self-contained breathing apparatus due to the presence of hazardous substances, identified in several container bays according to the ship’s manifest. Air quality monitoring was conducted throughout the incident. While officials noted that some containers may have contained hazardous waste or lithium-ion batteries, it was not confirmed which specific containers were involved in the fire, complicating the Port of Los Angeles Fire response and highlighting the risks of a container ship fire.
Crew Safety and Vessel Relocation after the Port of Los Angeles Fire
All 23 crew members aboard the ONE HENRY HUDSON were safely evacuated from the vessel. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among the crew or first responders during the Port of Los Angeles Fire. Two crew members initially assisted firefighters with navigation, but all personnel were accounted for by approximately 8:27 p.m. in a testament to the effective emergency response.
By Saturday morning, November 22, the vessel was towed to an anchorage approximately one mile offshore near Angel’s Gate Lighthouse. This strategic move allowed firefighting and cooling operations to continue in a safer location, minimizing risk to the port and surrounding communities following the intense Port of Los Angeles Fire. This relocation was a key decision in managing the Port of Los Angeles Fire.
Impact on Port Operations and Community due to Port of Los Angeles Fire
The container ship fire caused temporary disruptions to port activities. Four of the Port of Los Angeles’s seven container terminals suspended operations, and State Route 47 experienced closures due to smoke and visibility concerns related to the Port of Los Angeles Fire. The shelter-in-place order for local residents was lifted on Saturday morning as air quality readings remained within normal ranges and the immediate risk diminished after the Port of Los Angeles Fire.
Port operations began to resume on Saturday, with State Route 47 reopening and traffic returning to normal. While the primary fire was substantially contained, firefighting and salvage efforts were expected to continue for some time. The incident underscores the ongoing safety challenges and the critical importance of coordinated responses in managing maritime safety incident events at major global shipping hubs, making this current news a trending topic in Los Angeles and the logistics industry following the significant Port of Los Angeles Fire.
Current Status and Ongoing Investigation of Port of Los Angeles Fire
As of Saturday evening, the fire was substantially contained, and the vessel was safely anchored offshore. Port operations have largely returned to normal. The cause of the electrical fire and the subsequent explosion remains under investigation by the Unified Command for the Port of Los Angeles Fire. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and assess any potential long-term impacts on cargo and environmental safety. This evolving Los Angeles news highlights the complexities of maritime safety and emergency management, particularly in the context of a significant Port of Los Angeles Fire and the ongoing work of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
