Response efforts entered their fourth day on Tuesday regarding a fire on the containership One Henry Hudson, which ignited last Friday evening while docked at the Port of Los Angeles. All 23 crew members were evacuated safely, with no reported injuries. The blaze, originating in hard-to-reach sub-level areas, activated a joint response involving nearly 200 personnel, including members from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Long Beach Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other agencies.
The situation intensified later that night with an explosion that disrupted the vessel’s power, forcing firefighters to retreat and continue suppression efforts from a distance. Following the detection of hazardous materials, the Unified Command made the decision to tow the ship offshore. By Saturday morning, the One Henry Hudson was successfully anchored about one mile from shore, where it remains as firefighting and salvage operations proceed.
Throughout the incident, air quality remained within safety thresholds, with continuous monitoring established by the Port Police Hazmat team. A shelter-in-place order was briefly issued for San Pedro and Wilmington residents but was lifted once the ship was safely offshore. Current operations focus on identifying and extinguishing heat spots in the vessel’s cargo holds while ensuring the ship’s stability. The Coast Guard has set up a safety zone, directing vessel traffic and maintaining flight restrictions nearby.
