Okinawa, Japan - A fire on a US Navy ship off Japan was finally put out after 12 hours early Thursday, the US military said, after local vessels spent most of the night dousing the blaze.

Two US sailors were treated for minor injuries from the fire which broke out on the USS New Orleans in the southern island of Okinawa on Wednesday, the US 7th Fleet said in a statement.

"The cause of the fire is currently under investigation... New Orleans' crew will remain aboard the ship," the statement said.

The 684-foot, 24,433-ton amphibious transport dock ship is anchored off the White Beach Naval Facility.

China China enlists Michelle Yeoh for English dub of world's biggest animated film

World Brazil's top court rules on applicability of US laws to its territory after sanctions on judge

Japan's Coast Guard said that initially the US military sought assistance from Japan, but then canceled the request before then renewing it around 7:30 PM.

Four Japanese vessels – from the Coast Guard, the navy, and private contractors – spent the night dousing the blaze, spokesperson Tetsuhiro Azumahiga told AFP.

The US has around 54,000 military personnel stationed in Japan, mostly on Okinawa.

Some Okinawa peace activists argue that their homeland is occupied by both the US and Japan and are fighting for restoration of independence and the removal of troops from both countries.