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Major Fire Aboard Container Ship ONE Henry Hudson at Port of Los Angeles — Shelter-in-Place Issued, Fire Substantially Contained

The container ship ONE Henry Hudson caught fire below deck at the Port of Los Angeles on the evening of Nov. 21, prompting a major emergency response. An explosion mid-deck and hazardous materials in affected bays prompted a midnight shelter-in-place order for San Pedro and Wilmington. No injuries were reported and all crew were accounted for; the vessel was towed outside the breakwater and the fire was substantially contained. Authorities continue to monitor for potential pollution and coordinate recovery efforts.

03:58 AM, 11/23/2025Environment
Major Fire Aboard Container Ship ONE Henry Hudson at Port of Los Angeles — Shelter-in-Place Issued, Fire Substantially Contained

A large electrical fire broke out below deck on the container ship ONE Henry Hudson while it was docked at the Port of Los Angeles on the evening of Nov. 21, prompting a multi-agency emergency response and temporary public-safety measures.

Incident and initial response

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) officials said crew members reported the electrical fire at 6:38 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. The LAFD declared a major emergency and deployed 186 personnel to the scene. Responders later reported visible flames emerging from several cargo bays and noted hazardous materials listed on the ship's manifest were involved.

Explosions, hazards and public-safety actions

Responders observed an explosion mid-deck that disrupted lighting and crane operations on board. Due to concerns about air quality from smoke and potentially hazardous cargo, authorities issued a shelter-in-place order around midnight on Nov. 22 for residents of San Pedro and Wilmington. A waterside safety zone was established around the vessel and State Route 47 was temporarily closed because of smoke and reduced visibility.

Multi-agency response and containment

The Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach Fire Department, Los Angeles Port Police and the U.S. Coast Guard joined LAFD in responding. Officials reported no injuries and confirmed all crew members were accounted for. On Nov. 22 the vessel was towed beyond the port's breakwater and authorities said the fire had been substantially contained. The shelter-in-place order, work restrictions and the SR-47 closure were subsequently lifted.

Environmental monitoring and next steps

The Unified Command continues to monitor the situation and assess the potential extent of pollution. State and local officials, including the mayor’s office and the governor’s office, have been briefed and are coordinating support for first responders and nearby communities. The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest container port in North America, and officials are evaluating both safety and environmental impacts from the incident.

Status: Fire substantially contained; no reported injuries; crews accounted for; environmental monitoring ongoing.

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