Urgent Response After Lithium Battery Fire Shut Down Los Angeles Port

(Image courtesy of CBS, KCAL News)

Lithium Battery Fire Shuts Down Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports After Truck Overturns

Truck Carrying Lithium-Ion Batteries Causes Major Disruption

Several terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach were forced to close after a truck carrying lithium-ion batteries overturned and caught fire. The accident happened on Thursday, September 26, on Terminal Island, near Ocean Boulevard and Navy Way.

The fire caused a major disruption at both ports. Terminals, including APM, Fenix Marine, Everport, and Yusen, had to shut down as emergency crews rushed to the scene. The fire was caused by damaged batteries inside the truck’s container. These batteries caught fire, began to release gases, and even exploded, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Emergency Response and Road Closures

Firefighters quickly removed the container from the road and moved it to an open lot on Terminal Island. By relocating the burning container, they prevented further damage and kept traffic moving. However, some roads around the area had to be closed, including a 7-mile stretch of California State Route 47, from the Vincent Thomas Bridge to Long Beach.

The Los Angeles Fire Department faced unique challenges with this lithium battery fire. David Ortiz, a public information officer for the fire department, explained, “Putting water on this fire would create a bigger hazmat problem, leading to runoff and more cleanup issues.” He also said that even using millions of gallons of water might not have put the fire out completely.

Authorities warned that the fire could burn for up to 48 hours, so they decided to let it burn safely in the lot. Traffic was rerouted to other roads, and trucks lined up for miles as they waited for access to the port terminals.

Port of Long Beach Also Affected by the Lithium Battery Fire

The fire didn’t just affect the Port of Los Angeles. Pier T and Pier A terminals at the nearby Port of Long Beach also had to shut down for the day on Friday, September 27. However, some terminals, like Trapac, West Basin Container Terminal, and the World Cruise Center, were able to stay open at the Port of Los Angeles.

Emergency responders worked hard to keep the situation under control. Firefighters and other agencies worked together to safely move the truck and its cargo to a secure location. They also closely monitored the fire to make sure it didn’t get worse.

Operations Resume After Cleanup

By Friday, September 27, the accident site had been cleared, and key roads, including the Vincent Thomas Bridge and Seaside Avenue, reopened. Port officials said that terminals that were shut down due to the fire would resume operations on Saturday, September 28. The container, which was still smoldering, was placed in a secured area near Fire Station 40, where it was being closely monitored.

The Los Angeles Fire Department expected to hand over control of the hazardous situation to the U.S. Coast Guard by noon on Saturday. In the meantime, emergency teams ensured that the area was safe and that operations at the affected terminals could start again without further issues.