"Today, we suffered a terrible tragedy aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) when a fire broke out aboard the ship while in port San Diego. At this point, 17 Sailors and four civilians are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. The remainder of the crew is accounted for.  We are grateful for the quick and immediate response of local, base, and shipboard firefighters aboard USS Bonhomme Richard. Our thoughts and prayers are with our BHR Sailors, their families, and our emergency responders who continue to fight the fire. Godspeed," the Navy stated.

At the time the fire broke out, roughly 160 sailors were aboard. The USS Bonhomme Richard undergoes maintenance availability and has a crew size of around 1000. Two other US Navy warships, USS Fitzgerald, and USS Russel shifted berths away from the fire to a dock.

"Currently there are two firefighting teams fighting the fire aboard the ship,” said Federal Fire San Diego Division Chief Rob Bondurant.

The reason of the fire is still unknown and is pending investigation.

Maritime Business World