Japanese tug boats sprays water onto USS New Orleans.
WHITE BEACH NAVAL FACILITY, Okinawa — A fire that raged for 12 hours aboard the amphibious warship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) was extinguished early Thursday morning, according to the U.S. 7th Fleet.
The blaze began around 4 p.m. local time on Aug. 20 while the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship was operating off the coast of Okinawa. The 25,000-ton vessel is now anchored near White Beach Naval Facility.
In a statement released by 7th Fleet, officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighting efforts were led by the crew of New Orleans and supported by sailors from USS San Diego (LPD-22), a sister ship currently moored at White Beach. The fire was declared out at approximately 4 a.m. on Aug. 21.
Two sailors sustained minor injuries and were treated aboard New Orleans. The crew remains on the ship, with additional accommodations available aboard San Diego and onshore, the Navy said.
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Coast Guard assets also assisted in the firefighting response.
No additional details about the extent of the damage have been released.
