A significant fire aboard a cargo vessel forced the temporary closure of the Port of Los Angeles, sparked a hazardous materials alert, and led to a massive emergency response over the weekend.
Emergency Response and Escalating Blaze
The incident began on Friday night, 21 November 2025, when an electrical fire ignited on the One Henry Hudson cargo ship. The blaze rapidly spread through the ship's lower decks, engulfing cargo containers. Firefighters first responded around 6:30 pm.
The situation intensified just before 8:00 pm when an explosion on the mid-deck cut power to the vessel. Due to the presence of hazardous materials in the ship's hold, firefighters were required to board wearing protective suits and oxygen masks in addition to their standard gear.
Initial estimates suggested 40 containers were affected, but LAFD Fire Captain Adam VanGerpen later confirmed the count had risen to approximately 100 containers. More than 180 firefighters were dispatched to combat the intense flames.
Public Safety Measures and Port Disruption
Fears that the fire would consume the hazardous chemicals prompted officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for nearby neighbourhoods around midnight. Residents were instructed to "Get inside IMMEDIATELY and close all windows and doors."
As a precaution, the Vincent Thomas Bridge was temporarily shut down in the early hours of Saturday. By Saturday morning, the shelter-in-place order was lifted and the bridge reopened. The 23 crew members aboard the ship had been safely evacuated earlier, with no injuries or fatalities reported.
To prevent the flames from spreading to port infrastructure, the One Henry Hudson was towed away from the port. Firefighting vessels equipped with hoses continued to spray the ship throughout the day to cool the structure.
Containment and Ongoing Investigation
By Saturday afternoon, the Port of Los Angeles announced that the fire had been "substantially contained" and work restrictions at the port were lifted. However, firefighting efforts were expected to continue until salvage crews could arrive.
Investigators are now working to determine the exact cause of the electrical fire. The nature of the hazardous materials on board has not been publicly detailed. The ship, sailing under a Panamanian flag, had arrived in LA after departing from Tokyo.
Both LA Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledged the incident, stating they were monitoring the situation through officials on the scene.
