#Sailors injured after fire breaks out on Navy ship USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego

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Smoke rises from a fire on board the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego, California.
via REUTERS

Several sailors were wounded Sunday after a fire broke out on a Navy ship at the a base in San Diego, officials said.

The blaze on the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard was reported shortly before 9 a.m., as the ship was undergoing routine maintenance, according to Krishna Jackson, the base’s public information officer.

The San Diego Fire Department said on Twitter that “several” seamen were being treated for “a variety of injuries.”

It wasn’t immediately clear where on the 840-foot amphibious assault vessel the fire was sparked. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

The extent of the damage was unknown as of mid-morning but thick plumes of smoke could be seen floating above the ship.

About 200 sailors and officers were on board Sunday morning.

With Post wires