Fire breaks out on MSDF destroyer at Yokosuka

A fire broke out on a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer anchored at Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture late Friday, slightly injuring two of its crewmen before it was extinguished eight hours later early Saturday. Following the fire, which started at around 10:20 p.m. near the bridge of the 5,200-ton Shirane, a 37-year-old petty officer third class and a 20-year-old leading seaman were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, police said.


About 80 crew members were aboard the vessel when the fire broke out. The fire is believed to have started near the radar screen in the warship's combat information center that controls missile and machine gun firing operations. The fire destroyed the CIC, police and MSDF officials said. Police suspect the fire was caused by an electrical system glitch.