“Seventeen Sailors and four civilians are currently being handled for non-everyday living threatening injuries at a neighborhood medical center,” the US Navy explained in a statement.
The sailors on the USS Bonhomme Richard had “minimal injuries” from the hearth and had been taken to a healthcare facility, Lt. Cmdr. Patricia Kreuzberger explained to CNN previously Sunday.
The sailors are in stable situation, Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck explained to journalists Sunday evening.
Firefighters battled a three-alarm fireplace on the ship Sunday morning, SDFD’s Mónica Muñoz stated. Quite a few different organizations worked to struggle the blaze.
Two fires crews have been still on board the ship Sunday afternoon, Federal Fireplace San Diego Division Main Rob Bondurant explained in a statement.
“Federal Hearth is rotating their crews aboard the ship with U.S. Navy firefighting crews from the waterfront to combat the fireplace in purchase to obtain the seat of the hearth and extinguish it,” Bondurant said. “Navy Area Southwest tugs are also continually combating the fireplace from the bay.”
As of Sunday night, firefighters ended up “at the seat of the fire, if you will,” Sobeck claimed. The firefighters are clearing compartment spaces in purchase to close in on the hearth, Sobeck claimed.
“Sailors across this waterfront are certainly performing a outstanding job,” Sobeck reported, “They are saving their ship. We’re viewing just extraordinary outcomes.”
It is really unclear what began the hearth. When the hearth was initial claimed Sunday early morning, it was said to be in the reduced car or truck storage spot, Sobeck claimed, a “substantial, open region the place you shop a good deal of maritime tools and every little thing else.”
There is no ordnance on board, Sobeck explained, “which was our initial worry” in making certain safety on and about the ship.
A safety zone has been established up close to the ship, he claimed.
It is unclear what caused the explosion, Sobeck mentioned. Initial reviews indicated a “form of a backdraft,” or more than-pressurization as the compartment started heating up.
The ship experienced about a million gallons of gasoline, but it is “very well down below” many of the warmth resources, Sobeck stated.
The ship could burn up for times, “down to the water line,” San Diego Fire Main Colin Stowell explained to CNN’s Erica Hill Sunday afternoon.
Sobeck, even though, said the ship will almost certainly be salvageable.
“We are totally going to make absolutely sure it sails once again,” he reported.
“She was in a phase of repair service anyway,” Sobeck mentioned. “So we’re just gonna get suitable back at it at the time we get this factor contained and set out.”
There was an explosion just as personnel had been leaving the ship, Stowell stated.
Other ships moved absent from the burning vessel
The Navy has moved two close by ships away from the scene, it mentioned in a assertion.
Secretary of Protection Mark Esper has been briefed on the scenario, according to a protection formal.
Officers referred to as for San Diego Fireplace Department’s aid about 9 a.m. community time, Muñoz instructed CNN.
A next alarm was named at 9:09 a.m. and a 3rd at 9:51 a.m., in accordance to SDFD tweets.
The
USS Bonhomme Richard is an amphibious assault ship, according to the US Navy.
There were being 160 folks on board when the hearth started, in accordance to the Naval Area Forces. The ship, which has a crew of 1,000, was going through maintenance.
CNN’s Barbara Starr, Mary Kay Mallonee, Melissa Alonso, Ryan Browne and Mitchell McCluskey contributed to this report.