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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 7:55 p.m., Monday, November 10, 2008

Waipio fire damages Navy mini-sub

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

The USS Greeneville carries a 65-foot Advanced SEAL Delivery System mini-submarine, which is operated by a crew of two and can carry eight SEAL team members.

Courtesy U.S. Navy

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Naval Special Warfare Command is investigating a battery fire on Sunday night that damaged a Advanced SEAL Delivery System submersible at its Waipi'o peninsula shore-based facility.

The 8:30 p.m. fire occurred during routine maintenance, which included battery recharging, the Navy said in a news release on Monday.

Federal firefighters put out the fire and continued to douse the ASDS with water to cool any remaining hot spots. No injuries were reported.

A hazardous material unit used thermal imaging equipment to monitor the area for hazardous gases and materials. No hazardous materials were detected, Navy officials said.

The battery-powered ASDS is a combat submersible designed to clandestinely transport special operations forces from submarines. It is equipped with onboard communication and navigational equipment. The ASDS provides a dry environment and has greater speed, range and payload capacity than previous SEAL delivery vehicles.

The Navy did not disclose what caused the fire or the extent of damage to the ASDS.