A major **Container Ship Fire** aboard the vessel “One Henry Hudson” at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday evening triggered a large-scale emergency response, leading to suspended operations at several terminals and raising concerns about air quality for nearby residents. This severe **Container Ship Fire** demanded immediate attention from multiple agencies.
Container Ship Fire Erupts on “One Henry Hudson”
The blaze was first reported below deck on the 1,100-foot vessel docked at Yusen Container Terminal around 6:38 p.m. Pacific Time on November 21, 2025. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) quickly escalated the incident to a major emergency, dispatching over 100 firefighters, including marine units, to combat the stubborn **Container Ship Fire**.
Hazardous Materials and Explosion Add Complexity to the Container Ship Fire
The situation was complicated by the identification of hazardous materials within several cargo containers aboard the ship, as indicated by the vessel’s manifest. Firefighters were compelled to wear specialized encapsulated suits and use self-contained breathing apparatus due to the risk of toxic exposure. A significant development occurred around 7:58 p.m. when an explosion rocked the mid-deck of the vessel, causing power and lighting failures and disrupting crane operations, further escalating the **Container Ship Fire** crisis.
Crew Safety and Evacuation During the Container Ship Fire
All 23 crew members aboard the “One Henry Hudson” were safely accounted for and evacuated from the ship. Initially, six crew members were unaccounted for, but by 8:30 p.m., all had been safely brought ashore. No injuries have been reported among the crew or first responders attending this **Container Ship Fire**.
Operational Disruptions and Safety Measures Due to Container Ship Fire
The fire led to significant disruptions at the Port of Los Angeles, with four of its seven container terminals suspending port operations. State Route 47 was closed due to smoke and visibility concerns, and the U.S. Coast Guard established a one-nautical-mile safety zone around the vessel. The LAFD issued a shelter-in-place recommendation for local residents, advising them to stay indoors with windows closed due to smoke and potential air quality impacts, a common concern with maritime shipping incidents.
Cause and Ongoing Investigation of the Container Ship Fire
The exact cause of the electrical fire remains under investigation. The “One Henry Hudson” is operated by One Ocean Express, a shipping company headquartered in Singapore, and had recently arrived from Tokyo. The incident highlights ongoing risks in maritime shipping, particularly concerning hazardous materials on ships and the challenges of firefighting on large, complex vessels involved in a **Container Ship Fire**.
Broader Context of Port Incidents and Container Ship Fires
This event at the Port of Los Angeles, one of North America’s busiest ports, underscores the vulnerabilities of global supply chains to disruptions. Previous incidents, such as a fire caused by a truck carrying lithium-ion batteries at the Port of Los Angeles in September 2024, have also led to terminal closures and operational impacts. The increasing size of container ships and the potential for misdeclared or hazardous cargo remain significant concerns for the maritime industry, with insurers noting a rise in costly fire and explosion incidents, a frequent outcome of **Container Ship Fire** events.
Federal, city, and port officials are cooperating to extinguish the fire and monitor air quality. While firefighting efforts continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical safety protocols and LAFD emergency response necessary to manage complex maritime operations in major los angeles hubs facing the threat of a significant **Container Ship Fire**.
