UPDATED 8/21/2025 at 9:33 am ET with new information from the US Navy.
WASHINGTON — The US and Japanese navies managed to put out a fire 12 hours after it broke out on the amphibious warship New Orleans (LPD-18) today while it was operating off the coast of Japan, the US Navy reported.
While the cause of the fire is under investigation, the service said it began at 4 pm local time Wednesday and was put out at 4 am Thursday. The Navy said two sailors were treated for minor injuries.
“New Orleans Sailors’ firefighting efforts were supported by the crew of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), which is moored at White Beach Naval Facility,” the Navy said late Wednesday. “Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force; Japan Coast Guard; and U.S. Navy commands from across Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa also provided critical support to the firefighting efforts.”
New Orleans is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock capable of deploying Marine Corps ship-to-shore transport assets as well as CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters and MV-22 Ospreys.