A fire that broke out on the USS New Orleans, a US Navy amphibious transport dock ship, was extinguished early Thursday after burning for nearly 12 hours off the southern island of Okinawa, Japan.

Fire Breaks Out on USS New Orleans

The blaze began on Wednesday while the vessel was anchored at the White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa. The USS New Orleans, a 208.4-metre (684-foot) ship weighing over 24,433 tons, is part of the US 7th Fleet’s amphibious forces in the Pacific.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. In a statement, the US Navy confirmed that two sailors sustained minor injuries while responding to the incident and were given medical treatment.

Japanese Vessels Join Overnight Battle

At the height of the emergency, Japan’s Coast Guard reported that the US military initially sought assistance, withdrew the request, and later reinstated it around 7:30 pm local time.

In response, four Japanese vessels, including Coast Guard ships, naval units, and private contractors, worked through the night to douse the flames. Their efforts, combined with the ship’s crew, ultimately brought the blaze under control by early Thursday morning.

Crew Remains Onboard

Despite the fire damage, the crew of the USS New Orleans will remain aboard the ship, the US Navy stated. Assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and the possible impact on the vessel’s operational readiness.

Strategic Importance of Okinawa

The incident highlights the importance of Okinawa as a strategic hub for US military operations in the Indo-Pacific. The United States maintains approximately 54,000 troops in Japan, with the majority stationed in Okinawa, which hosts key naval and air bases.

The USS New Orleans, part of the Navy’s amphibious fleet, plays a central role in transporting troops, equipment, and landing craft during operations and exercises.

Ongoing Investigation

The Navy has launched an investigation to determine what sparked the fire and how it spread. Officials have not yet released details on the extent of structural or operational damage to the USS New Orleans.

For now, the ship remains anchored at White Beach, while repair and safety assessments continue.