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An electrical fire broke out below deck on a cargo ship docked in the Port of Los Angeles on the evening of Nov. 21
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Authorities described the incident involving the container ship ONE Henry Hudson as a “major emergency”
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In a statement to PEOPLE, the U.S. Coast Guard stated that “the Unified Command continues to closely monitor the situation and the extent of potential pollution is currently unknown”
A large fire erupted on a cargo ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles, leading to a major emergency response effort.
An electrical fire was reported below deck by crew members of the container ship ONE Henry Hudson on Friday, Nov. 21, at 6:38 p.m., according to a release issued by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). The department called the incident a “major emergency” and stated that “186 personnel” were “working on this incident.”
An update from the LAFD issued a little over an hour stated that fire could be seen outside the ship in several bays and that “hazardous materials” had been “identified in involved bays, per the ship’s manifest.” They also said that “an explosion was noted mid-deck” that affected “lights and crane operations on the ship.”
LAFD issued a shelter-in-place order at around midnight on Saturday, Nov. 22, for the San Pedro and Wilmington neighborhoods due to air quality concerns.
PEOPLE reached out to the LAFD on Nov. 22 for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
A release issued by the Los Angeles Port on Nov. 21 stated that a “waterside safety zone around the ship has been established and the State Route 47 has been closed due to smoke and visibility concerns.”
They added that no injuries had been reported at that time and “all crew members are accounted for.”
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An update shared by the Port of Los Angeles on Nov. 22 stated that the cargo ship had been towed outside of the port’s breakwater, and that “the fire onboard has been substantially contained.”
They also shared that the previous shelter-in-place order, as well as work restrictions around the port, had been lifted, and State Route 47 has been reopened.
The Long Beach Fire Department, Los Angeles Port Police, and U.S. Coast Guard are also responding to the incident, per the Port of Los Angeles.
In a statement to PEOPLE, the U.S. Coast Guard stated that “the Unified Command continues to closely monitor the situation and the extent of potential pollution is currently unknown.”
The Port of Los Angeles is considered the busiest container port in North America, per the port’s website.
In a statement shared on X, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said that “the City is monitoring this active incident closely,” and confirmed that all crew members were safely accounted for.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office stated that the governor had been “briefed” on the situation and that their office “is coordinating with local authorities to support first responders and protect the surrounding community,” in a statement shared on X.
Read the original article on People
