USS New Orleans Fire Off Okinawa Lasts 12 Hours, Two Minor Injuries Reported

A fire aboard the U.S. Navy's amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, was extinguished early Thursday morning, August 21, 2025, after burning for approximately 12 hours. The incident, which began around 4-5 p.m. local time on Wednesday, August 20, resulted in minor injuries to two sailors, who were treated aboard the vessel. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by naval authorities.

The fire's location was assessed by maritime expert Sal Mercogliano, who stated in a tweet, > "The video of the tugs fighting the fire on board USS New Orleans off Okinawa indicates that the fire is in or near the living and storage spaces of the ship, vice the engine room." This assessment aligns with reports indicating smoke rising from the bow and firefighting efforts concentrated on the forward section, an area often housing berthing and stores.

Firefighting efforts involved a joint response from U.S. Navy crews, supported by the Japan Coast Guard and Japan Self-Defense Force vessels. Tugboats were seen spraying water onto the ship's hull, a tactic Mercogliano noted as external cooling. He explained, > "The use of outside cooling indicates boundaries have been established and they are probably trying to starve the fire of oxygen by sealing spaces or directly attacking it and prevent its spread." The crew of the USS San Diego (LPD-22), moored nearby, also provided assistance.

The San Antonio-class vessel, homeported in Sasebo, Japan, was anchored near the White Beach Naval Facility in Uruma City, Okinawa, when the fire erupted. No Marines were aboard the ship at the time of the incident. While the extent of the damage is still being assessed, no oil spills or hazardous material leaks were reported in the surrounding waters.

This incident marks another significant fire for the U.S. Navy's amphibious fleet, drawing comparisons to the devastating 2020 fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego. The event underscores ongoing concerns regarding naval ship readiness and maintenance practices, particularly for ships critical to Marine Corps operations in the Indo-Pacific region.