Fire Aboard USS New Orleans Extinguished Off Japan Coast

A fire aboard a U.S. warship was declared extinguished early Thursday, approximately twelve hours after it ignited off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Two sailors were treated for minor injuries as a result of the incident.

The fire on the USS New Orleans began around 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday. The 684-foot amphibious transport dock ship was anchored near the White Beach Naval Facility at the time. The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet released a statement regarding the event.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Sailors fighting the blaze received assistance from the crew of the USS San Diego, a similar ship that was moored nearby. The Japanese military and coast guard also provided support.

The Navy has stated that the crew will remain on the USS New Orleans. The ship was commissioned in 2007 and has the capacity to carry up to 800 personnel.

This incident follows a devastating fire that occurred five years prior on the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego. That fire resulted in injuries to more than 60 sailors and civilians. A sailor accused of intentionally setting the fire was acquitted in 2022. The 2020 fire burned for five days and led to a Navy investigation that identified significant failures in leadership and training.