18 Injured, Explosion Reported During USS Bonhomme Richard Fire: Officials

Update at 5 p.m. ET: At least 18 people were hospitalized in the incident, Navy and fire officials have confirmed.

Naval Surface Force wrote that about 160 sailors were on board the vessel at the time, adding that “18 sailors have been transferred to local hospitals.”

Their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

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

Authorities said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, it was reported.

Additional details were not provided.

—

Fire officials in San Diego, California, said several people have been injured on board the warship USS Bonhomme Richard at the Naval Base San Diego following a fire and explosion.

“Explosion with at least one injury at the USS Bonhomme Richard,” the San Diego Fire Department wrote on Twitter. It added that authorities are “assisting on this fire on board the USS Bonhomme Richard. We are in unified command (partnered) with Federal Fire.”

San Diego Fire Department officials added that multiple agencies are responding to the scene.

Explosion with at least one injury at the USS Bonhomme Richard. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/HooWIRcjU4

— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020

According to 10News, the fire department later said several sailors are being treated for injuries.

Images captured from live streams show billowing smoke emitting from the ship and rising into the air.

SDFD was requested by Federal Fire at about 9am. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/Ah6GRzpJHJ

— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020

It’s not clear how the fire or explosion started.

A witness told 10News that an explosion was heard right before the blaze occurred.

The USS Bonhomme Richard, which can deploy and land helicopters, smaller boats, and other vehicles, spent six years in Japan as part of the U.S. Forward Deployed Naval Force before it was sent to San Diego in 2018.

Naval Base San Diego spokesperson Krishna Jackson told The Associated Press that the fire was reported at around 9 a.m. local time. The cause of the fire is being investigated, Jackson added.

Jackson estimated that around 200 officers and sailors were on the ship Sunday morning.