Sailors battled a fire aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans for about 12 hours before the blaze was finally extinguished early Thursday morning in Japan, Navy officials have announced.
Two sailors were treated aboard the New Orleans for minor injuries, a news release from the Navy’s 7th Fleet says.
No information was immediately available about the extent of damage to the ship.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, the Navy said in a statement.
The fire broke out about 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday as the New Orleans was anchored near White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, the news release says. The blaze was declared extinguished at 4 a.m. on Thursday.
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Sailors from the New Orleans were assisted in fighting the fire by the crew of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego, which is also moored at White Beach Naval Facility. Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japanese Coast Guard also helped with firefighting efforts.
“New Orleans’ crew will remain aboard the ship. Additional services and berthing are available aboard San Diego and Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa, if needed,” the 7th Fleet news release says.
The New Orleans is one of the Navy’s San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks, which transport embarked Marines and can carry Landing Craft Air Cushions and other landing craft along with Amphibious Assault Vehicles and helicopters or MV-22B Ospreys.
“These ships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations,” according to the Navy.
UPDATE: 9/20/2025; This article was substantially updated after publication.
