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Twenty-one folks suffered minor accidents in an explosion and fire Sunday on board a ship at Naval Base San Diego, navy officers mentioned.
The blaze was reported shortly earlier than 9am on USS Bonhomme Richard, mentioned Mike Raney, a spokesman for Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet.
Seventeen sailors and 4 civilians have been hospitalized with “non-life threatening injuries,” Raney mentioned in a short assertion. He didn’t present extra particulars.
Previously, officers mentioned at least one particular person was handled for smoke inhalation.
The reason behind the fire was beneath investigation. It wasn’t instantly identified the place on the 840-foot (255-meter) amphibious assault vessel the blast and the fire occurred.
The flames despatched up an enormous plume of darkish smoke seen round San Diego.
San Diego is the Bonhomme Richard’s dwelling port, and the ship was present process routine upkeep at the time of the fire.
About 160 sailors and officers have been on board, Raney mentioned — far fewer than the thousand usually on the ship when it’s on lively obligation.
All crew members have been accounted for, mentioned Admiral Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations.
“We are grateful for the quick and immediate response of local, base, and shipboard firefighters aboard USS Bonhomme Richard,” Gilday mentioned in an announcement.
The 23-year-old ship has the capability to deploy and land helicopters, smaller boats and amphibious automobiles. Because of its age, a fire may very well be significantly damaging, particularly if it reached the engine room and different tight areas with equipment, mentioned Lawrence B. Brennan, a professor of admiralty and worldwide maritime legislation at Fordham University in New York.
“The heat of a fire of this nature can warp the steel, and that can be a major problem for any ship,” mentioned Brennan. “On an older ship, it’s even more of a problem.”
Two different docked ships, USS Fitzgerald and USS Russell, have been moved to berths away from the fire, officers mentioned.
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