Fire erupts on cargo ship at the Port of Los Angeles, triggering major emergency

Sunday, November 23, 2025 -A massive fire broke out Friday evening on the container ship ONE Henry Hudson, docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, prompting a large-scale emergency response. 

More than 180 firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department, Long Beach Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard were deployed, working from land, sea, and air to contain the blaze. The incident triggered an immediate shutdown of portions of the port as teams coordinated efforts to stabilize the situation at North America’s busiest shipping hub.

The fire reportedly began below deck as an electrical fault, spreading upward through multiple levels of cargo. An explosion on the mid-deck disrupted power, including lights and crane operations, and hazardous materials were identified in several container bays. 

All 23 crew members aboard the ship were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. Emergency teams worked to cool the vessel and prevent the flames from reaching additional hazardous containers that could have caused further explosions.

Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for surrounding communities, including San Pedro and Wilmington, due to air-quality concerns as smoke drifted inland. The vessel was eventually towed away from the docks to a position outside the breakwater, where responders were able to contain most of the fire. 

Port officials later confirmed that operations were resuming and the safety perimeter had been lifted, though they warned that full investigations into the cause and extent of the damage are still underway.