The U.S. Navy says the impacts from a fire that burned for approximately 12 hours aboard the USS New Orleans earlier this week are limited to forward areas of the ship, though a full assessment of the damage is still ongoing. The San Antonio class amphibious warfare ship, with its crew still aboard, arrived under its own power today at the White Beach Naval Facility on the Japanese island of Okinawa. Readers can first get caught up on what had previously been known about the incident in our initial report here.
A full statement put out today from the U.S. 7th Fleet reads:
“The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) returned under its own propulsion to White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 22.
New Orleans is providing its own berthing and galley services remain open, allowing for the crew of nearly 380 Sailors to continue to work and reside aboard their ship. Several Sailors were treated for minor injuries and have returned to full duty. Family members have been updated on the status of the ship and crew.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and damage assessors are presently aboard inspecting the impact, which was limited to the forward area of the ship.”
An initial Navy statement said two sailors sustained unspecified injuries, and that they were treated aboard the ship, before that was changed to “several.” A press release today from the U.S. Embassy in Japan also only mentions two injured sailors, adding that they have returned to duty. TWZ has reached out for more information.
“Another defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details about the ship, said the fire appeared to be contained to the middle decks near the ship’s bow,” Military Times had also reported on Tuesday, which is in line with the Navy’s latest statement. “The official added that multiple decks had been affected, without specifying how many decks were burned.”
The fire first broke out at about 4:00 PM local time on Aug. 20 and was extinguished at approximately 4:00 AM local time on Aug. 21, according to the Navy. The Japan Coast Guard separately told multiple news outlets that firefighting activities continued until 9:00 AM local time.
“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 also said in a release put out on the night of Aug. 20-21. “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.”
“The rapid, coordinated, and courageous response to the fire by American and Japanese teams shows, once again, why the U.S.-Japan Alliance is second to none,” U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass also said in a statement today. “I deeply appreciate the critical assistance of the Japanese and Okinawan governments, which helped ensure the fire was brought under control quickly and without any serious injuries to American or Japanese personnel. It’s clear that the operation’s success was a result of the regular emergency- and disaster-response training our two nations conduct together.”
More information about the fire aboard the USS New Orleans may now begin to emerge with the ship in port at the White Beach Naval Facility and a more detailed damage assessment underway.
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