Fire Erupts on Container Ship at LA Port, Crew Evacuated

A fire broke out late Friday on the container ship ONE Henry Hudson, docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, prompting the safe evacuation of all 23 crew members and a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby neighborhoods. The blaze, which started around 6:30 p.m. Pacific time on the vessel's lower decks, spread rapidly through dozens of shipping containers and led to a mid-deck explosion about 90 minutes later, disrupting the ship's power and crane operations.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded with more than 180 personnel, including HazMat teams, urban search and rescue units, and fire boats, battling the flames through the night. Officials identified hazardous materials in the ship's cargo manifest, leading to the shelter-in-place order for residents in San Pedro and Wilmington. The alert instructed people to remain indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off heating and air conditioning systems to avoid potential exposure to toxic smoke. Firefighters, equipped with protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus, were prohibited from entering below deck due to the intensity of the fire and safety risks.

By early Saturday morning, the order was...