USS Bonhomme Richard fire: Sailors injured, crews battle blaze at Naval Base San Diego

Several sailors injured in ship fire at NBSD

By: Mary McKenzie , Zac Self , Mario Sevilla

Posted at 10:51 AM, Jul 12, 2020

and last updated 11:23 PM, Jul 12, 2020

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Fire crews and first responders are working the scene of a massive blaze aboard a ship at Naval Base San Diego set off by a large explosion Sunday afternoon.
The Navy says 18 sailors were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries following an explosion aboard the ship. All SDFD personnel are accounted for as of 11:19, the department said.
Approximately 160 sailors were aboard the ship at the time of the fire. The ship was undergoing maintenance availability and normally has a crew of roughly 1,000.
San Diego Fire-Rescue tweeted around 10:30 a.m. about the fire aboard the ship on the 3400 block of Senn Street. According to the Navy, the fire was initially reported around 8:30 a.m.
PHOTOS: Fire erupts aboard ship at Naval Base San Diego
It's unclear how the fire started. According to a witness, an explosion was heard coming from the ship shortly after the blaze started.
Video posted by the department shows thick, black smoke rising into the air.
ABC 10News crews at the scene are reporting a toxic smell emanating from the blaze.
The USS Bonhomme Richard was commissioned nearly 22 years ago on Aug. 15, 1998. The ship and her crews participated in several operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom which was part of the U.S. response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on American soil.
The ship has also appeared in a pair of Hollywood films, including 2012's military science fiction action movie "Battleship" starring actor Liam Neeson and singer Rihanna, and "Act of Valor" which featured active duty U.S. Navy SEALs.
Built in Mississippi and named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the USS Bonhomme Richard made San Diego home in 2018.

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