Lithium-ion battery truck fire spurs call for better inspections

In response to a lithium battery fire that shut down some activities at the Port of Los Angeles, City Councilman Tim McOsker introduced a motion Friday calling for greater inspection of trailers, among other actions to prevent similar emergencies from happening.

McOsker, who represents the 15th District, encompassing the Harbor area, is asking the port to evaluate and implement an inspection process for trailers leaving each terminal to see whether cargo is secured or not. While the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, the councilman hopes his motion will address any factors that led to the emergency.

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"This is primarily for the safety and security of our workers, and our travelers," McOsker said. "It's of lesser importance, but there are multiple terminals that are shut down and will be shut down while this emergency is ongoing.

"And that represents to the stream of commerce, hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars -- secondary to life and safety, but also important," he added.

The motion is set to be heard by the Trade, Travel and Tourism Committee at a future date.

A rig overturned shortly before noon Thursday in the 900 block of North Seaside Avenue. The truck rolled on its side, and its cargo of lithium batteries caught fire.

The fire burned through the day Thursday, and the cargo was continuing to emanate heat Friday while authorities considered options for addressing the hazard.

On Friday afternoon, LAFD officials issued a statement saying crews had "devised a plan to move the container with the hazardous lithium-ion batteries to an open lot on Terminal Island. This will allow it to continue burning or off-gassing, while lessening the impact on traffic and port operations."

There were no reports of injuries, and it was unclear what caused the truck to roll on its side.

It was unclear when -- and how -- that move would occur.

The councilman noted that the city worked closely with Pacific Maritime Association, the union representing shipping lines and terminal operators, and ILWU Local 13, the union representing longshore workers at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach, to ensure terminals were closed, meaning port employees did not report to work as they addressed the fire.

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