Toxic Port of Los Angeles Fire Suspends Cargo Operations
- September 23, 2014
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 6:40 p.m. Monday evening call at the 800 block of South Fries Avenue located in the Port of Los Angeles. Air quality concerns from creosote covered wood caused the port closing as well an overnight shelter-in-place advisory. Creosote is a gummy, foul smelling, corrosive and extremely combustible substance that, if no precautions are taken, will coat the insides of everything it passes through. The fire, expected to last an additional 12 hours, has been difficult to quell due to multiple layers of thick timber soaked in creosote.
Several cargo ships have been moved away from nearby berths for caution. The Port of Los Angeles has advised that as of 8:30 a.m., all container terminals at the port have been closed for precautionary reasons due to air quality.
We will continue to monitor the situation and advise you of any important updates.