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Fire Breaks Out Aboard 'Unlucky' Russian Anti-Submarine Ship

The Kerch warship had suffered a series of mishaps during its decades in service.

A fire broke out aboard an “unlucky” Russian anti-submarine ship that was moored for repairs in the docks of Sevastopol, a news report said.

The fire aboard the Kerch warship was “localized” within an hour and nobody was injured in the incident Tuesday, a navy spokesperson said, Interfax reported.

The Kerch had suffered a series of mishaps during its decades in service, the report said, adding that the ship had an “unlucky” reputation among Black Sea Fleet sailors.

A fire broke out in the officers' canteen aboard the Kerch when the ship was undergoing upgrades in 1988, and the flames raged for 25 minutes before they were noticed, the report said. Nobody was injured and the ship was restored, Interfax reported.

In 1993, the Kerch rammed into a concrete wall at port and severely damaged its hull, the report said.

The warship has been moored in Sevastopol, Russia's Black Sea Fleet base, since June for its latest round of repairs, which are expected to be completed by the end of next year, according to Interfax.

The Kerch is then expected to take over as the Black Sea Fleet's flagship, replacing the Moskva missile cruiser, the report said.

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