The USS Bonhomme Richard was at the port of San Diego for maintenance when the explosion and fire broke out
Los Angeles:
An explosion on a US Navy ship docked at a California base started a major fire on Sunday, injuring 21 people, officials and local media said.
The USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship, was in the port of San Diego for maintenance when the explosion exploded.
Thick smoke could be seen emanating from large sections of the ship, while scenes broadcast by CNN showed firefighters using water cannons to try to control the fire.
The official naval surface forces Twitter account, US Pacific Fleet, said that 17 sailors and four civilians were taken to hospital for minor injuries. Several firefighters were also reported to have suffered burns and smoke inhalation.
Colin Stowell, chief of the San Diego Fire Department, told CNN that the fire could continue “for days” and “just burn 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 home port of the ship.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
