TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese defense ministry says a navy destroyer has collided with a commercial vessel off southern Japan, starting fires on both ships.

The Defense Ministry says the destroyer Kurama collided with the commercial vessel Tuesday night in the Kanmon Strait near the southern main island of Kyushu and both were engulfed in flames.

Details of any casualties were not immediately available.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.