Fire broke out aboard the Spanish frigate SANTA MARIA (F-81) at the Rota Naval Base, Spain, local news agencies reported.
The incident happened at around 2100 on Friday 07 October.
Rota is a joint Spanish-American base of the two navies.
According to initial reports, the fire was quickly brought under control.
At least 20 sailors from the SANTA MARIA have been evacuated.
No injuries were reported and at the moment there is no reliable information about the reasons that led to the accident.
The frigate was due to sail tomorrow to join forces in Somalia.