Overview

• The blaze started in the auxiliary engine room generator compartment as the 2,600-ton amphibious landing ship entered Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae around 3:49 p.m. Thursday.
• Firefighting teams from the Navy and Changwon Fire Department deployed over 40 firefighters, fireboats and pump trucks in a 12-hour operation to fully extinguish the fire by Friday afternoon.
• Three crew members suffered injuries from burns and smoke inhalation, with two returning to their units after treatment and one still hospitalized.
• Complex compartment layouts and the vessel’s steel construction required additional cooling before personnel could safely reboard the ship.
• The Navy has formed a committee to investigate the incident and propose measures to prevent future fires aboard its ships.