The fire broke out on Wednesday on a US military vessel offshore from the US military port known as “White Beach” in Uruma City, Okinawa. The Japanese Coast Guard scrambled a patrol boat, with firefighters also rushing to the scene, after reports of a blaze erupting on the vessel.
The reports first emerged on Wednesday, August 20, the local Coast Guard said.
The vessel involved is reportedly the USS New Orleans, which is just over 200 metres long. Smoke was seen rising from the bow of the ship, Japan’s Coast Guard said.
Japanese officals said they were informed of the fire by the US military’s Camp Zukeran Emergency Control Room.
The US Navy later issued a statement confirmning that a fire had broken out on board the ship.
They said: “A fire has broken out on a U.S. 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.”
Currently there are no reports of any injuries or fatalities.
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