A MASSIVE fire has torn through a cargo ship docked at San Pedro port as crew members were hastily rushed to safety.
The Panamanian vessel, One Henry Hudson, was carrying hazardous material when a blaze broke out below deck and sparked an explosion.
Almost 200 responders were scrambled to the ship after reports of the incident at around 6:30pm on Friday.
All 23 crew members were rushed to safety, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
No injuries were reported.
The ship, which was docked in the Port of Los Angeles, was carrying hazardous cargo.
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It’s understood an electrical fire broke out below deck, which rapidly spread.
By about 7pm the inferno had engulfed several floors of the 1,102ft-long ship.
Soon after, it was rocked by a dramatic explosion in the mid-deck, officials said.
Hazmat crews are now monitoring the air quality.
Horror footage shows plumes of thick black smoke filling the air as firefighters tackle the inferno below.
Four of the port’s terminals remain shut after the incident was declared a “major emergency”.
Mayor of LA Karen Bass said a shelter has been set up for affected communities.
She also urged resident to stay at home and keep windows shut.
In a statement, she said: “A shelter in place order is in effect for communities surrounding the Port of Los Angeles, including San Pedro and Wilmington.’
“Remain at home, keep windows closed and turn off HVAC systems. Emergency responders continue attacking the container ship fire.”
Cargo ship firm Ocean Network Express added “all crew have been safely accounted for” and the situation is being “closely” monitored.
A spokesperson told the Mail Online: “Ocean Network Express (ONE) has been alerted to a fire onboard the 2008-built Panama-flagged container vessel, M/V ONE HENRY HUDSON,’ a spokeswoman told Daily Mail.
“ONE can confirm that the vessel is time-chartered and all crew have been safely accounted for.
“ONE is deeply concerned by this incident and is closely monitoring the situation.
“We thank first responders onsite and remain fully committed to supporting incident management and subsequent investigations.”
The ship arrived in LA on Wednesday from Japan’s capital Tokyo.
It comes as a huge explosion reportedly ripped through a 500ft container ship in the North Sea.
The Dutch vessel Victoria L was seen up in flames following the blast with an emergency rescue mission now underway, according to local media.
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At least 19 crew members were on board the ship when officials were first alerted to the fire at around 1pm, HLN media reports.
The ship was travelling through the Hoek van Holland, near to Rotterdam at the time.
