Major fire breaks out on US Navy ship in California

This US Navy photo released July 13, 2020 shows Sailors and Federal Firefighters combating a fire onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego, July 12, 2020. On the morning of July 12,2020 a fire was called away aboard the ship while it was moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego. Base and shipboard firefighters responded to the fire. Bonhomme Richard is going through a maintenance availability, which began in 2018.
Christina Ross / US NAVY / AFP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — An explosion on a United States Navy ship moored at a base in California set off a major fire on Sunday injuring 21 people, officials and local media said.

The USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault vessel, was in port in San Diego for maintenance when the explosion erupted.

Thick smoke could be seen billowing from large sections of the ship, as scenes broadcast by CNN showed fireboats using water cannon to try to control the blaze.

The official Twitter account of Naval Surface Forces, US Pacific Fleet, said 17 sailors and four civilians were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Several firefighters reportedly also suffered burns and smoke inhalation.

Colin Stowell, head of the San Diego fire department, told CNN that the fire could go on “for days” and “just burn down to the waterline.”

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear.

About 160 sailors were on board at the time. San Diego is the ship’s home port.