On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Japanese public broadcaster NHK World-Japan reported that around 5:00 p.m. local time, a fire broke out aboard the U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD-18), a San Antonio-class ship, in the area of the White Beach naval base on Okinawa.
Photo: NHK World-Japan
The fire was initially fought by two, and later three, firefighting vessels of the Japan Coast Guard (Kaijō Hoan-chō), using water cannons. According to video footage, the source of the blaze was located in the bow section of the ship.
As reported by the defense news outlet USNI News, citing a statement from the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet, the ship’s crew battled the fire with support from their Japanese allies. There were no initial reports of injuries to the crew. While the fire was brought under control, it was not entirely extinguished.
Earlier, NHK World-Japan reported that around 5:00 p.m., the Japan Coast Guard received a distress call regarding a fire that had broken out aboard the U.S. ship.
“A fire broke out aboard the U.S. vessel off the coast of White Beach. The crew is currently engaged in firefighting efforts, but assistance has been requested from the Japan Coast Guard to help extinguish the fire,” a Coast Guard official told NHK World-Japan.
USS New Orleans (LPD-18) is part of the forward-deployed amphibious forces of the U.S. Navy, stationed at the Sasebo naval base in Nagasaki Prefecture, in the northwestern part of Japan’s Kyushu Island.
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
UPDATE
Fire Aboard USS New Orleans Extinguished
A fire aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), which is anchored near White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, was declared extinguished at 4 a.m., Aug. 21.
The fire began at approximately 4 p.m., Aug. 20. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
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.
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.
Two Sailors were taken to New Orleans’ medical for minor injuries.
New Orleans’ crew will remain aboard the ship. Additional services and berthing are available aboard San Diego and Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa, if needed.
