USS New Orleans Fire Investigation Reveals Failures
PHOTO CAPTION: USS New Orleans returns under its own propulsion to White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa on Aug. 22, 2025, two days after an 11-hour fire aboard the ship. A newly public Navy investigation found that ceiling-high stacks of toilet paper, unauthorized hazardous materials and firefighting shortcomings contributed to the severity of the blaze. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Zachary Guth)
A Navy investigation into last year's 11-hour fire aboard USS New Orleans found that roughly 100 boxes of toilet paper stacked nearly to the ceiling interfered with the ship's sprinkler system and contributed to a blaze that caused an estimated $12 million in damage.
The investigation also identified unauthorized hazardous materials, shortcomings in the crew's initial firefighting response and gaps in knowledge of the ship's firefighting systems as factors that allowed the Aug. 20, 2025, fire to become more severe.
The fire began inside a special clothing storeroom while the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans was anchored near White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan.
Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigators were unable to determine the precise cause of the fire. The investigation attributed the blaze to intentional or negligent human activity and identified several possible causes, including smoking or vaping, unauthorized hazardous materials or arson.
One of the most striking findings involved how material was stored inside the space.
Investigators found approximately 100 boxes of toilet paper stacked nearly to the overhead. The arrangement rendered the storeroom's sprinkler system largely ineffective, according to the investigation.
Unauthorized hazardous materials also contributed to the severity of the fire. Investigators found aerosol cans and a metal container holding an unidentified liquid inside the space.
The investigation concluded that those materials provided additional fuel that prolonged the duration and intensity of the blaze.
Crew response also came under scrutiny.
Investigators found that delays in the initial response, failures to establish effective boundaries to prevent the fire from spreading and insufficient knowledge of the ship's firefighting systems contributed to the roughly 11-hour effort needed to bring the blaze under control.
The fire began around 4 p.m. Aug. 20 and was declared extinguished at approximately 4 a.m. the following morning.
Sailors aboard USS San Diego assisted New Orleans' crew, while personnel from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japan Coast Guard and U.S. Navy commands across Okinawa also supported the response.
Several sailors were treated for minor injuries, but none required more than basic first aid.
The fire did not compromise the ship's structural integrity, but it damaged or disabled waste-management, electrical and other systems while reducing the habitability of numerous spaces.
The Japan Regional Maintenance Center estimated the damage at approximately $12 million, though investigators characterized the figure as a preliminary estimate.
The investigation recommended administrative action involving New Orleans' commanding officer, chief engineer and damage control assistant. It also recommended broader fleet changes involving firefighting training, inspection guidance and drills.
Despite identifying shortcomings, Navy officials also credited the crew for continuing to fight the fire for hours and protecting the ship and its personnel.
USS New Orleans returned under its own power to White Beach Naval Facility on Aug. 22, two days after the fire began, before later traveling to its homeport at Sasebo, Japan, for repairs.
The ship returned to operational service in January 2026 and has since deployed in the Indo-Pacific and Arabian Sea.
The Navy investigation was completed in November 2025, but its findings only recently became public after the report was obtained by news organizations in Okinawa and Stars and Stripes.
Sources: U.S. Navy investigation as reported by Stars and Stripes; U.S. 7th Fleet
(Source: OAF Nation)
