A fire has broken out on US naval ship New Orleans off Japan’s Okinawa coast, prompting fire fighting operations, reports said. Japanese public broadcaster NHK showed dramatic visuals from the site where flames could be seen coming out of the vessel.
Multiple fire engines are attempting to douse the blaze as they pumped water from both sides on the main deck. According to a report in Metro, the fire broke out around 5pm local time and continued to spread for some time. As of now, there has been no call to evacuate the crew.
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
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However, the report mentioned, that several self-defence force vessels and the Japan Coast Guard have also been put to task to contain the flames. There are no reports of injuries and the cause of the fire, so far, remains unclear.
The US Navy issues also has not issued any formal statement on the incident.
A statement from the Nakagusuku Coast Guard Headquarters in Okinawa said: “A fire has broken out on a US vessel off the coast of White Beach.”
“The crew is currently engaged in firefighting efforts but we have requested the Japan Coast Guard to provide firefighting assistance,” it added.
About the ship
The New Orleans (LPD 18) is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, reported Metro. It has been designed to carry Marines and their equipment into contested areas. The ship is 208 metres in length, and is capable of carrying an estimated 700 Marines, that can surge to 800 in wartime, it added.
The defensive suite of the ship reportedly contains two 30 mm Bushmaster II guns to be used against surface threats and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers for its aerial security.
AloJapan.com