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Toilet paper and human error led to 11-hour USS New Orleans fire, investigation finds

Navy Times • August 31, 2026 • world

Key Points:

A fire aboard the USS New Orleans in August 2025 caused $12 million in damage and lasted 11 hours, with two sailors sustaining minor injuries; the exact cause remains unknown but human error is suspected.
The fire was exacerbated by 100 boxes of toilet paper blocking sprinkler heads in a special clothing storeroom, which acted as kindling, and the presence of hazardous materials not authorized in that area.
Firefighters faced delays due to lack of proper forcible entry equipment and premature activation of a nearby fire suppression system, which forced evacuation and allowed smoke and water to spread through the ship.
Leadership aboard the USS New Orleans mismanaged the firefighting system, overusing water instead of focusing on ventilation controls, resulting in steam, reduced visibility, and flooding that hindered fire suppression efforts.
Following repairs and a return to service, the Navy has integrated lessons from the incident into damage control training and inspection protocols to improve future emergency responses.

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