Fire ravages Navy ship for 2nd day
SAN DIEGO — Flames tore through a warship for a second day Monday as a top Navy official revealed that a fire-suppression system was inoperable when the blaze erupted while the ship was docked in San Diego.
Hundreds of sailors were battling to keep flames away from a million gallons of fuel on board the USS Bonhomme Richard. The U.S. Coast Guard hired an oil clean-up crew to put in place a boom that could be ready if any oil is spilled.
Meanwhile, acrid smoke from the blaze wafted across San Diego and health officials urged people to stay indoors if they smelled it.
At least 57 people were treated for heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation and minor injuries. Five remained hospitalized under observation.
Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck said it was too soon to give up on saving the 23-year-old amphibious assault ship, which has been docked in San Diego since 2018 undergoing maintenance.
“In the last 24 hours, 400 sailors have been on board that ship to make sure that, you know, we make every effort to save that ship,” said Sobeck, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3.