ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy and supporting firefighting teams continued to battle blazes on the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard for the fourth straight day, a Navy spokesperson said.
“As of 06:00 a.m. Pacific time July 15, firefighting teams continue operations on board USS Bonhomme Richard — 63 personnel, 40 Sailors and 23 civilians have been treated for minor injuries, including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation,” the public affairs office for commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a July 15 release.
“Currently, there are no personnel hospitalized. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 [HSC-3] has conducted more than 1,500 helicopter water bucket drops, which is cooling the super structure and flight deck enabling fire crews to get onboard internally to fight the fire,” the release said.
The Navy has not said what caused the fire, though numerous reports attribute it to an explosion aboard.
In a July 14 release the Navy listed the units that have assisted in the firefighting efforts in addition to HSC-3:
- USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)
- USS Cowpens (CG 63)
- USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62)
- USS Decatur (DDG 73)
- USS Tulsa (LCS 16)
- USS Shoup (DDG 86)
- USS Rushmore (LSD 47)
- USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49)
- USS San Diego (LPD 22)
- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
- USS Stethem (DDG 63)
- USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26)
Federal Fire entities:
- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
- San Diego
- Ventura County
- Naval Air Facility El Centro
Additional Defense Department firefighting agencies:
- Camp Pendleton Fire Department
- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Fire Department
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