Share this @internewscast.com

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. Navy said Thursday that it’s charged a sailor with starting a fire last year that destroyed a warship docked off San Diego.

The USS Bonhomme Richard burned for more than four days and was the Navy’s worst U.S. warship fire outside of combat in recent memory. The amphibious assault ship was left with extensive structural, electrical and mechanical damage and was later scrapped, costing the Navy billions of dollars.

The sailor was a member of the crew at the time, Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a U.S. 3rd Fleet spokesperson, said in a statement. No name was released, and Robertson could not be immediately reached for comment.

No other details were provided, and it was unclear what evidence was found or what the motive was.

The amphibious assault ships are among the few in the U.S. fleet that can act as a mini aircraft carrier.

The Bonhomme Richard had been nearing the end of a two-year upgrade estimated to cost $250 million when the fire broke out on July 12, 2020.

About 160 sailors and officers were on board when the flames sent up a huge plume of dark smoke from the 840-foot (256-meter) vessel, which had been docked at Naval Base San Diego while undergoing the upgrade.

The fire started in the ship’s lower storage area, where cardboard boxes, rags and other maintenance supplies were stored. But winds coming off the San Diego Bay whipped up the flames and the flames spread up the elevator shafts and exhaust stacks.

Then two explosions — one heard as far as 13 miles (21 kilometers) away — caused it to grow even bigger.

The fire sent acrid smoke billowing over San Diego, and officials had recommended people avoid exercising outdoors.

Firefighters attacked the flames inside the ship, while firefighting vessels with water cannons directed streams of seawater into the ship and helicopters made water drops.

More than 60 sailors and civilians were treated for minor injuries, heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.

Source: huffpost

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Man Shoots Girlfriend in the Woods While She Holds Their Baby

Background: News footage of the daycare center where Taco Nash followed Mic’Keya…

Man Fires at Garbage Truck Following Wawa Dispute: Police Report

Background: The Wawa location in Zephyrhills, Fla. (Google Maps). Inset: Quinson Croson…

Police: Pediatrician Staged Drowning After Killing 4-Year-Old

Inset: Neha Gupta (Oklahoma City Police Dept.). Background: The Florida property and…

Gainesville Deputy Shoots Man Holding Woman Hostage for Four Hours During Arrest

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tyrese Da’jon Jones, 26, was shot by…

Incarcerated Pregnant Woman Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit After Giving Birth Behind Bars

Etowah County Jail in Gadsden, Alabama (Google Maps). Abandoned to give birth…

ASO and GPD Initiate County-Wide Task Force to Combat Online Child Exploitation

Staff report from ASO and GPD social media posts ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla.…

TikTok Star Fatally Shot on Beach Shortly After Recording Video: District Attorney

Inset: Chrystofer Whyte taking a selfie video on the same beach in…

Florida Teen Threatens to Open Fire at McDonald’s in Dispute Over Missing McNuggets

A Florida teen was arrested after he threatened to shoot up a…

Judicial Ruling Halts Trump’s Asylum Ban, Cites Scalia’s Opinion

Donald Trump addresses the Road to Majority conference in Washington, DC, on…

BREAKING: Diddy Denied Bail Following Conviction on Prostitution Charges

Sean “Diddy” Combs was refused bail on Wednesday, even though he was…

Police fatally shoot man after hours-long standoff

Police have shot dead a man they said fired on officers in…

Tragic Incident: Toddler Loses Life to Unattended Firearm

A tragic incident occurred when a 3-year-old boy died after apparently accidentally…