USS New Orleans Catches Fire Off The Coast Of Japan
A U.S. official has confirmed to TWZ that the blaze has been contained, but it is unclear at this time if it has been fully extinguished. The fire started at about 5:00 PM local time (4:00 AM Eastern), according to NHK in Japan. At the time of writing, there have been no reports of casualties, and the cause and extent of the damage remain unknown. The New Orleans is homeported in Sasebo on the Japanese home island of Kyushu to the north, and is assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet.
'Crews are responding to a fire aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) this evening, Aug. 20, (Japan Time), which is in the vicinity of Okinawa, Japan,' another Navy spokesperson had earlier told TWZ in a statement. 'We will provide more details as they become available.'
*Details still emerging* – USS New Orleans (LPD 18) San Antonio-class Flight I amphibious transport dock reports fire on board while off of Okinawa – August 20, 2025 SRC: INT- https://t.co/11Z3Z1PvQM pic.twitter.com/lmYxD055G5
— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) August 20, 2025
'Smoke was confirmed rising from the bow of the ship, but so far there have been no requests to evacuate the crew,' a Japanese Coast Guard official told NHK. A Navy spokesperson confirmed to us that no evacuation order has been given.
Videos from the scene posted by NHK show two firefighting tugs located on both sides of the bow pouring water on the vessel. A Navy spokesperson told us the tugs were from White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa.
Footage showing firefighting ships with the Japanese Coast Guard fighting a fire onboard the San Antonio-Class Amphibious Transport Dock, USS New Orleans (LPD-18), off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. pic.twitter.com/czcUFgvSO8
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 20, 2025
NEW: Fire broke out aboard the USS New Orleans (LPD-18) while docked at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan.US Navy & Japan Self-Defense Forces fought the blaze.Cause, damage, and casualties not yet confirmed. pic.twitter.com/xbWLGoA1Xd
— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 20, 2025
NHK reported that Japan Self-Defense Force vessels arrived to conduct firefighting efforts, and the Japan Coast Guard had also dispatched a patrol boat to the scene. A Navy spokesperson earlier told TWZ that they believed that the ship's crew, plus the two tugs from White Beach, had been actively fighting the fire.
Okinawa's White Beach is 'a staging area for Marines and their equipment based on Okinawa,' according to the Navy. 'This departure point allows utility landing craft and air-cushioned landing vehicles to ferry troops, vehicles and equipment to amphibious ships pier side or at sea.'
The cause of the fire and extent of the damage will be investigated, a Navy spokesperson also told TWZ.
This is a developing story.
Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
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