The San Diego Fire Department (SDFD) responded to a fire on Sunday on a U.S. Navy ship in San Diego, California.
The SDFD confirmed it was responding to a fire on board the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), a U.S. Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.
“waterside video of USS Bonhomme Richard,” one Twitter account tweeted with video of the blaze.
waterside video of USS Bonhomme Richard. pic.twitter.com/YvVilWmpvk
— Aurora Intel – #StayHome (@AuroraIntel) July 12, 2020
The USS Bonhomme Richard was docked at Naval Base San Diego when the fire occurred.
“Fire crews are responding to a fire, explosion, on the USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego. @CBS8 viewer Emily Kluzak sent us the photo from this vantage point. @SDFD: sailors are being treated for injuries. @thecwsandiego,” tweeted CBS/CW San Diego news anchor Marcella Lee, with a photo showing the extent of the fire.
Fire crews are responding to a fire, explosion, on the USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego. @CBS8 viewer Emily Kluzak sent us the photo from this vantage point. @SDFD: sailors are being treated for injuries. @thecwsandiego pic.twitter.com/LDpXZLPb4H
— Marcella Lee (@MarcellaNews8) July 12, 2020
“3RD Alarm fire on USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) at Naval Base San Diego. SDFD & Federal Fire have unified command for what sounds like a below deck fire, possibly in a hanger bay,” tweeted user Gregg Favre, with an image of the smoke plume hanging over the ship. “Initial reports of an explosion & injuries. As both a fireman & a sailor, thoughts with all aboard.”
3RD Alarm fire on USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) at Naval Base San Diego.
SDFD & Federal Fire have unified command for what sounds like a below deck fire, possibly in a hanger bay
Initial reports of an explosion & injuries.
As both a fireman & a sailor, thoughts with all aboard. pic.twitter.com/eDnLBYZ2SA
— Gregg Favre (@GreggFavre) July 12, 2020
The SDFD tweeted video of the firefighting efforts and indicated there was an explosion, but did not provide further details.
“Explosion with at least one injury at the USS Bonhomme Richard. #shipfire,” SDFD tweeted.
Explosion with at least one injury at the USS Bonhomme Richard. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/HooWIRcjU4
— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020
Multiple agencies at scene with SDFD – 3455 Senn St. working a military ship fire,” SDFD tweeted. “SDFD is assisting on this fire on board the USS Bonhomme Richard. We are in unified command (partnered) with Federal Fire. #shipfire.”
SDFD is assisting on this fire on board the USS Bonhomme Richard. We are in unified command (partnered) with Federal Fire. #shipfire
— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020
The Naval Surface Forces Twitter account initially reported at least 11 injuries as a result of the fire Sunday.
“Local, base and shipboard firefighters are responding to a fire aboard @LHD6BHR located on @NavBaseSD. Initially, eleven Sailors have been transported to the hospital for minor injuries. The entire crew is off the ship and all are accounted. More information to follow,” the Navy account tweeted.
Local, base and shipboard firefighters are responding to a fire aboard @LHD6BHR located on @NavBaseSD. Initially, eleven Sailors have been transported to the hospital for minor injuries. The entire crew is off the ship and all are accounted. More information to follow.
— Naval Surface Forces (@SurfaceWarriors) July 12, 2020
The Naval Surface Forces account further indicated the fire broke out at around 8:30 a.m. and has since updated the number of hospitalizations to 18.
“The fire was called away at approx. 8:30 AM, July 12. Approx. 160 Sailors were aboard at the time. @LHD6BHR is going through a maintenance availability and has a crew size of approx. 1000. 18 Sailors have been transferred to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”
The fire was called away at approx. 8:30 AM, July 12. Approx. 160 Sailors were aboard at the time. @LHD6BHR is going through a maintenance availability and has a crew size of approx. 1000. 18 Sailors have been transferred to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
— Naval Surface Forces (@SurfaceWarriors) July 12, 2020
On Sunday at a press conference reported by Business Insider, SDFD chief Colin Stowell told reporters that the blaze is still not out and the “fire could go on for days.”
