USS New Orleans Catches Fire at Okinawa’s White Beach Port

A fire broke out aboard the USS New Orleans (LPD-18), a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, while the vessel was docked at the U.S. Navy’s White Beach facility in Uruma, Okinawa, at about 6:00 p.m. local time on 20 August. Crews from the U.S. Navy and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces were mobilized to fight the blaze. Local fire departments also received alerts and dispatched units to the port area. The extent of the damage, the cause of the fire and whether any personnel were injured have not yet been disclosed. The U.S. Navy said it is gathering details and will open an investigation once the fire is fully contained.