Fire erupts on Chinese helicopter carrier under construction

A fire broke out on China’s first Type 075 landing helicopter dock (LHD) while it was undergoing final fitting out on Saturday, April 11.

The incident occurred while the yet unnamed 36,000-tonne vessel was docked at the facilities of Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding in Shanghai.

Photos and video that have since circulated on Chinese social media show thick columns of black smoke billowing from the LHD’s middle and stern sections. However, shipyard officials have assured that the damage suffered by the vessel was not significant since responding firefighting teams were able to quickly extinguish the blaze.

No details have yet been provided as to the cause and origin of the fire and whether anyone on board suffered injuries from the incident.