Firefighters continue battling blaze aboard USS Bonhomme Richard

Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department boats helped combat the fire onboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. John J. Mike)

This morning, firefighting teams were continuing to battle a fire on board USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), which is moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego for a regularly scheduled maintenance availability.

The fires was reported shortly after 8:50 a.m.PST yesterday, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue officials. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion. Since then, plumes of smoke have been issuing from the ship and firefighting efforts have continued.

Initial efforts involved Naval Base San Diego, the City of San Diego Fire Department, Harbor Police fire boats, and fire teams from other ships. Additional aerial firefighting operations commenced via helicopter water bucket at 1:30 a.m. PST this morning with two helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Three.

All crew members have been accounted for. At one point, seventeen sailors and four civilians were being treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital. As of 6.45 a.m. EST this morning, five sailors had been admitted to local hospitals for observation. All are in stable condition.

The San Diego Union Tribune reports Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, as saying that the cause of the blaze and the extent of damage were not yet known but the Navy believes the fire began in a lower cargo hold, where marine equipment and vehicles are stored.

At approximately 4:00 p.m.PST yesterday, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS Russell (DDG 59) shifted berths to a pier further away from the fire.