UPDATE: A significant emergency has erupted at the Port of Los Angeles as crews battle a hazardous fire on the cargo ship 1 Henry Hudson. Over 100 firefighters are currently engaged in combating the massive blaze that was reported at 6:38 p.m. on July 14, 2023.
The situation escalated dramatically when an explosion occurred just before 8 p.m., impacting power to lights and cranes on the vessel. Authorities report that hazardous materials are present in several cargo containers, prompting firefighters to don protective suits and oxygen masks for their safety. Specially trained hazardous materials units are on-site, continuously monitoring air quality as firefighting efforts progress in the ship’s sub-levels.
Marine crews are actively cooling the exterior of the ship to create safer conditions for those working to extinguish the fire. As of 8 p.m., incident command had issued a directive prohibiting firefighting personnel from going below deck due to safety concerns. Progress on containing the blaze remains slow, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Earlier reports indicated that six crew members were unaccounted for, but by 8:30 p.m., LAFD confirmed that all 23 crew members had been located and safely evacuated from the vessel. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported at this time.
The cargo ship, flying the flag of Panama, had only recently arrived at the Port of L.A. after a journey from Tokyo. In a statement released on social media platform X, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass emphasized that city officials are closely monitoring the ongoing situation.
Firefighting efforts are expected to continue into the night as crews work to control the hazardous fire. This developing story will be updated as new information becomes available, and authorities urge the public to stay clear of the area as safety remains a top priority.