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Electrical Fire Aboard Cargo Ship at Port of Los Angeles Now 'Substantially Contained' — No Injuries Reported

02:29 PM, 11/23/2025
Electrical Fire Aboard Cargo Ship at Port of Los Angeles Now 'Substantially Contained' — No Injuries Reported

The Port of Los Angeles says an electrical fire aboard the cargo ship One Henry Hudson is "substantially contained" after an extensive firefighting response. The blaze began at 6:38 p.m.; an explosion before 8 p.m. cut power, but all 23 crew members were evacuated and no injuries were reported. Nearly 200 firefighters and multiple agencies used boats, thermal imaging and foam to suppress the fire; a brief shelter-in-place advisory for nearby neighborhoods was later lifted.

An electrical fire broke out Friday evening aboard the cargo ship One Henry Hudson while it was docked at the Port of Los Angeles. Port officials announced Saturday that the blaze is "substantially contained" and that no injuries were reported.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said the fire began on a lower deck at 6:38 p.m. local time. Firefighters reported an explosion on the vessel shortly before 8 p.m., which knocked out power to onboard lighting and dock cranes and complicated response efforts.

All 23 crew members were evacuated safely. Capt. Erik Scott said the ship was later escorted past the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.

LAFD committed nearly 200 personnel and deployed boats, thermal-imaging equipment, a foam apparatus and air operations to battle the blaze. Crews from the Long Beach Fire Department and other local, state and federal agencies supported firefighting and search-and-rescue operations.

Officials characterized the incident as presenting "extraordinary challenges," noting that portions of the fire burned in compartments that were largely inaccessible. Several cargo containers involved in the fire contained hazardous materials, requiring firefighters to wear protective suits and breathing apparatus while air quality was closely monitored.

Port authorities temporarily suspended operations at four of seven container terminals and established a safety zone around the vessel; normal terminal activity resumed the next morning after conditions improved. Authorities briefly advised residents in nearby neighborhoods to shelter in place; that advisory was later lifted.

"Many of our fire boats are out there. They are trying to cool down this vessel," Capt. Adam Van Gerpen said at a news briefing. Salvage and continued fire-suppression efforts are expected to continue under the coordination of all partner agencies.

The Panama-flagged One Henry Hudson, built in 2008, had recently arrived from Tokyo. The ship's management company, Fukujin Kisen, was contacted for comment. Multiple agencies responded to the emergency, including the Long Beach Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles Port Police, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and the U.S. Coast Guard. Mayor Karen Bass said the city was closely monitoring the situation, and Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed.

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