US Navy transport ship on fire for 12 hours off Japan
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Two American sailors were treated for minor injuries from the fire, which broke out on the USS New Orleans on Aug 20.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO – A fire on a US Navy ship off Japan was finally put out after 12 hours early on Aug 21, with Japanese ships spending most of the night dousing the blaze.
Two American sailors were treated for minor injuries from the fire, which broke out on the USS New Orleans in the southern island of Okinawa on Aug 20, the US 7th Fleet said in a statement.
“The cause of the fire is currently under investigation… New Orleans’ crew will remain aboard the ship,” it said.
The 208.4m, 24,433-ton amphibious transport dock ship is anchored off the White Beach Naval Facility.
Japan’s Coast Guard said that, initially, the US military sought assistance from Japan, but then cancelled the request before then renewing it around 7.30pm (6.30pm Singapore time).
Four Japanese vessels – from the Coast Guard, the navy and private contractors – spent the night dousing the blaze, spokesman Tetsuhiro Azumahiga said.
The United States has around 54,000 military personnel stationed in Japan, mostly on Okinawa. BLOOMBERG
