Fire from overturned truck carrying lithium-ion batteries shuts down Port of LA, POLB terminals

Operations at the Port of Los Angeles were disrupted on Thursday afternoon, 26 September, when a tractor-trailer carrying a container loaded with lithium iron batteries overturned near Ocean Boulevard and Navy Way on Terminal Island. The incident caused several container terminals to close, with APM Terminals, Fenix Marine, Everport, and Yusen Terminals remaining closed on Friday as local fire, hazmat, and police agencies responded to the scene.

However, other terminals, including Trapac, West Basin Container Terminal, and the World Cruise Center, remained operational, according to the Port of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the batteries were damaged, caught fire, and were off-gassing, with one battery reportedly exploding. There were no reported injuries. Firefighters removed the container with the hazardous lithium-ion batteries from the roadway and relocated it to an open lot on Terminal Island, allowing it to continue burning or off-gassing while minimising the impact on traffic and port operations. Traffic around the area was rerouted, and motorists were advised to use alternative routes.

The fire has also impacted operations at the neighbouring Port of Long Beach, with its terminals at Pier T and Pier A closed for day shift on 27 September.

In a Friday update, port officials of the Port of Los Angeles confirmed that the accident site has been cleared, with key roads such as the Vincent Thomas Bridge and Seaside Avenue reopened.

“The smouldering container (which is still on a fire department lowboy trailer) remains in a rail yard near Fire Station 40 in a secured site with no public access. Firefighters will monitor the container overnight and into the morning. We anticipate transferring control of the hazardous materials incident to the US Coast Guard by noon tomorrow,” the fire department said in their latest update posted on September 27.

“Multiple agencies safely relocated the vehicle and its load to a secure area. Additional work has been completed to clean the site and ensure it is safe to reopen along with nearby bridges. Port of Los Angeles terminals that were closed as a result of the accident are expected to safely resume full operations Saturday,” the port said.

Operations at the Port of Long Beach terminals have also returned to normal operation, the port said on Saturday.

Image credit: California Department of Transportation/ Caltrans District 7

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