21 People Injured In Fire On Naval Ship In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — Seventeen sailors and four civilians were hospitalized Sunday with minor injuries after a fire broke out aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, an assault ship docked at Naval Base San Diego, Navy officials said.

UPDATE: 57 Injured In Fire On Ship At Naval Base San Diego

By Sunday afternoon, all sailors were off the ship and accounted for, while 17 sailors had been hospitalized with minor injuries, the U.S. Naval Surface Forces said on Twitter.

The Navy updated the number of hospitalized to 17 sailors and four civilians at 2:30 p.m., adding that 160 sailors and officers were aboard the ship when the fire broke out.

Explosion with at least one injury at the USS Bonhomme Richard. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/HooWIRcjU4
— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020

Local, base and shipboard firefighters were battling the fire, including water boats, authorities said.

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.

Local firefighters joined federal firefighters in responding to the scene, where plumes of smoke could be seen on the naval base. By 11:19 a.m., the SDFD said all fire-rescue personnel had been accounted for.

Multiple media reports and the Fire-Rescue Department initially said there was an explosion aboard the ship, but that has not been confirmed by military officials.

The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael M. Gilday, said on Twitter, "Today, we suffered a terrible tragedy aboard USS Bonhomme Richard when a fire broke out aboard the ship while in port San Diego.

"The remainder of the crew is accounted for," the admiral continued. "We are grateful for the quick and immediate response of local, base, and shipboard firefighters aboard BHR. Our thoughts and prayers are with our BHR sailors, their families, and our emergency responders who continue to fight the fire."

Today, we suffered a terrible tragedy aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) when a fire broke out aboard the ship while in port San Diego. At this point, 17 Sailors and four civilians are being treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital. 1/2
— USNavyCNO (@USNavyCNO) July 12, 2020

The cause had not been determined, but ship had undergone a maintenance cycle before the fire was reported, NBC San Diego reported.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer tweeted, "We are here for the sailors and civilians affected by the ship fire at Naval Base San Diego. SDFD and other first responders continue to lend support. All of the crew is off the USS Bonhomme Richard and accounted for. Thank you to our brave sailors and rescue crews."

The city of National City asked residents to go inside their homes to avoid smoke from the ship fire.

The city tweeted, "The smoke is being evaluated. Safety precautions should be taken to limit any potential health impacts. We are encouraging all residents to go inside and limit outside activities."

https://t.co/v2c9T7z09S pic.twitter.com/0hdDCnsX5T
— Naval Surface Forces (@SurfaceWarriors) July 12, 2020

Firefighters from San Diego and National City joined federal firefighters in responding to the scene, where plumes of smoke could be seen on the naval base.

About 1 p.m., the USS Fitzgerald shifted berths to a pier farther away from the fire, according to Mike Raney, deputy public affairs officer with the Naval Surface Force. The USS Russell moved about 30 minutes later, he said.

The cause had not been determined, but ship had undergone a maintenance cycle before the fire was reported, NBC San Diego reported.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.

City News Service contributed to this report.