LOS ANGELES (AP) — A fire that broke out aboard a container ship in Los Angeles on Friday continued to burn overnight, prompting surrounding communities to set up shelters over concerns about hazardous materials in the ship's cargo.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, all 23 crew members of the ship were killed and there were no injuries from the electrical fire. Officials said they identified hazardous materials aboard the ship, the One Henry Hudson.
Shortly before 3 a.m., Mayor Karen Bass announced a shelter-in-place order for the areas surrounding the port, including San Pedro and Wilmington.
“Stay home, keep the windows closed and turn off the air conditioners,” she said on X.
The US Coast Guard said a one nautical mile security zone had been set up around the ship.
According to fire officials, the fire appeared to have started below deck before spreading to multiple levels of the ship and resulting in an explosion in the middle of the deck. It was not immediately clear how the fire broke out.
More than 100 firefighters were called to battle the fire at the Port of Los Angeles, known as the busiest seaport in North America. Their efforts continued overnight, Bass said.
This image is from video from ABC7 first responders battling a fire on a container ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday, November 21, 2025 in Los Angeles. Photo credit: AP/Uncredited
The 1,102-foot (336-meter) ship is operated by One Ocean Express, a shipping company headquartered in Singapore. Before Los Angeles, the ship was last in Japan and stopped in Kobe, Nagoya and Tokyo.
One Ocean Express did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.