A trio of Navy sailors sustained injuries on Tuesday when a minor fire erupted aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard located in Portsmouth, Virginia.
According to a Navy spokesperson who spoke with Fox News Digital, the blaze was rapidly contained and subsequently extinguished thanks to the prompt response of both the ship’s crew and the personnel at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Each team acted swiftly, following their training protocols.
The three sailors received medical attention from the ship’s medical team for their minor injuries and were soon able to return to their duties, as confirmed by the spokesperson.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is known for its journey along the Elizabeth River to reach the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. This particular event was captured in a U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Evan Antonisse.
The origins of the fire remain unknown, with an investigation still underway to determine how it started.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has been stationed at the shipyard for over a year following a nine-month deployment in 2023 to the Red Sea. During that mission, the carrier played a critical role in defending against drone and missile threats posed by Iranian-supported Houthi rebels, a detail previously reported by Fox News Digital.
Eisenhower is scheduled for Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kade Bise)
It is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance including comprehensive work on the carrier’s propulsion systems, crew habitability, combat systems and aviation support capabilities, according to the Navy.
In addition to routine maintenance, upgrades to critical systems will ensure the carrier remains mission-ready and extends its operational effectiveness.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is moored at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mercy Crowe)
The spokesperson said it is unclear if maintenance availability will be extended as a result of the fire.
