Crane Catches Fire at Port of Los Angeles

The control cabin at the top of a 150-foot-high crane at the Port of Los Angeles caught fire Saturday, and firefighters had difficulty getting water on the source.

The department dispatched 47 firefighters and two boats at 12:05 p.m. to battle the fire, according to Shawn Lenske of the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

Firefighters found that an acetylene tank beneath the bottom of the crane's cabin was burning, high above the dock at Berth 100. That location is just north of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, on the west side of the channel next to the 110 Harbor Freeway, Lenske said.

They had the fire out about an hour and 10 minutes after their arrival, Lenske said. No injuries were reported.

Acetylene is highly compressed flammable gas used as fuel, or for welding.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Lenske said.