LOS ANGELES (AP) — A fire that broke out aboard a Los Angeles container ship, the One Henry Hudson, on Friday continued to burn throughout the night, prompting authorities to implement a shelter-in-place order for nearby communities due to fears concerning the hazardous materials present in the ship's cargo.
All 23 crew members are accounted for with no injuries reported as a result of the electrical fire, stated the Los Angeles Fire Department. These officials indicated they have identified hazardous materials aboard the vessel.
At approximately 3 a.m., Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a shelter-in-place order for areas around the port, including San Pedro and Wilmington. The mayor urged residents to stay inside, keep windows closed, and turn off HVAC systems.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a safety zone of one nautical mile around the vessel.
As report comes, the fire is believed to have initiated below deck, spreading to multiple levels within the ship, which resulted in an explosion mid-deck. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Over 100 firefighters responded to combat the blaze at the Port of Los Angeles, recognized as the busiest seaport in North America. Their firefighting efforts are ongoing, according to Mayor Bass.
The One Henry Hudson measures 1,102 feet (336 meters) long and is operated by One Ocean Express, a shipping company based in Singapore. Prior to its stop in Los Angeles, the vessel had been in Japan, making stops in Kobe, Nagoya, and Tokyo.
As of now, One Ocean Express has not responded to inquiries from The Associated Press regarding the incident.
