Seventeen sailors and four civilians were sent to the hospital Sunday with minor injuries after a fire broke out aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego, Navy officials said.
"The crew has been evacuated off the ship and we have accounted for everyone," Brian O'Rourke, the Navy Region Southwest spokesman, said.
Federal Fire is the lead agency combating the fire, with San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and National City Fire assisting. Harbor Police are also assisting with fire boats in the water.
The USS Fitzgerald shifted berths to a pier away from the fire around 1 p.m., according to a statement from the Naval Surface Force. The USS Russell moved 30 minutes later.
San Diego firefighters were called to 3455 Senn St. at 8:51 a.m. for a three-alarm fire aboard the military assault ship, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD). About 150 firefighters were assigned to the blaze.
There were 160 sailors aboard the ship at the time, according to a tweet from Naval Surface Forces.
There was an explosion on the USS Bonhomme Richard, according to a tweet from SDFD, but that couldn’t be confirmed by O’Rourke.
The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.
The Bonhomme Richard is an amphibious assault ship homeported in San Diego.
Fire crews still rolling up to the base with sirens on. Navy officials say nearby USS Fitzgerald & USS Russell have been moved - could mean officials are expecting ship to burn for a while. Also now 17 sailors & 4 civilians being treated for nonlife threatening injuries pic.twitter.com/2zJ7iF5YLq
— Matt Hoffman (@MHoffmam) July 12, 2020
At approximately 1:00 p.m., USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) shifted berths to a pier further away from the fire. USS Russell (DDG 59) moved approximately 30 minutes later.
— Naval Surface Forces (@SurfaceWarriors) July 12, 2020
Video of the USS Bonhomme Richard shot from SDFD copter 3. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/tYluuN5pii
— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020
