KITTERY — The fire that broke out aboard the USS Miami just before 5:45 p.m. Wednesday is out, and the seven people who sustained minor injuries are recovering, said the commander of Submarine Group Two, Rear Admiral Richard Breckenridge.

In a prepared statement issued at 6:30 a.m. today, Breckenridge said the ship’s nuclear reactor had been shut down for more than two months, since the USS Miami arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for repairs in March, and had remained in a safe and stable condition throughout the fire. There were no weapons on board in the torpedo room.

Breckenridge said the fire spread to spaces within the submarine that were difficult to access and the heat and smoke contained in those confined spaces made it challenging for firefighters to combat the blaze.

Nonessential personnel were removed from the submarine when the fire broke out.

“I want to emphasize that the heroic actions of the firefighting teams averted what could have been a much more severe situation,” said Breckenridge. “As a result of their quick and effective response, the fire was contained and brought under control. We greatly appreciate the strong support received from our state and local partners who assisted us throughout this event.”

A full investigation has begun to determine the cause of the fire.

Among the contingent of firefighters who responded, in addition to local departments, were the York County Haz-Mat team and York County Emergency Management Agency. South Portland responded with a foam truck.

A shipyard spokeswoman at 6:30 a.m. said hot spots remained.

Breckenridge said the fire and subsequent damage was limited to the forward compartment spaces, which include crew living areas and command and control.

No crew members were living aboard the submarine since it arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for repairs. Breckenridge said all of USS Miami’s crew and the personnel supporting work and recovery efforts on the submarine are accounted for.  

Injured were three Portsmouth Naval Shipyard firefighters, two civilian firefighters ”“ their department names were not available ”“ and two crew members. Breckenridge said their injuries were minor.

“These personnel were either treated on scene or transported to a local medical facility for further treatment and all have been released,” Breckenridge said. “So all injured personnel have been released and are in good shape.”

The extent of the damage was not known at press time this morning, said the shipyard spokeswoman.

Sanford is the host community of the USS Miami. Joe Hanslip, who chairs the host committee, said this morning his thoughts and prayers are with the crew and their families.

“The fire is a further illustration of the dangers the people in our armed services face every day, whether or not they’re in a combat situation,” he said.

The USS Miami is an improved Los Angeles Class nuclear-powered submarine. The improvements include retractable bowplanes, a reinforced sail for under-ice operations, vertical launch Tomahawk Cruise Missile capability, ship quieting enhancements, and an integrated combat systems suite, shipyard officials said.

Commissioned in 1990, the Miami’s home port is Groton, Conn. The USS Miami’s commanding officer is Roger Meyer.

The USS Miami has a crew of 13 and 120 enlisted personnel. The Miami arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for an overhaul March 1 and is expected to be in Maine until early November 2013.

According to figures compiled by Seacoast Shipyard Association, in 2011, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employed nearly 5,200 workers with an annual payroll of $408 million. Of that total, Sanford is home to the most employees of any of the many communities with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers, at 420, earning an annual payroll of more than $28 million, according to SSA.

More than half of the workers hail from Maine ”“ about 3,000, who earned about $234 million, according to Seacoast Shipyard Association’s 2011 Economic Impact Report, released in February.

Breckenridge said the shipyard remains open for normal business and the workforce was scheduled to report to work as usual.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.