Five days after it caught fire, US Navy warship is still burning at a San Diego base

There were 160 people on board the USS Bonhomme Richard when it caught fire Sunday. The cause of which is still unknown.

The USS Bonhomme Richard on fire | Twitter | @GreggFavre

New Delhi: The US military warship USS Bonhomme Richard is still burning, five days after it caught fire Sunday morning.

According to US Navy officials, 21 people were injured after an explosion and fire onboard the ship at the American naval base in San Diego.

Explosion with at least one injury at the USS Bonhomme Richard. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/HooWIRcjU4

— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020

A statement was later released by the US Navy confirming the injuries: “Seventeen sailors and four civilians are being treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital.”

The USS Bonhomme Richard is an an amphibious assault ship, a wartime vehicle which can be employed on both land and water.

These ships are also helicopter and aircraft carriers. The USS Bonhomme Richard had an 800-foot-long flight deck from bow to stern which carried both F-35 jets and helicopters.

US is said to have the largest amphibious force in the world. Amphibious warships are effectively designed to sail in harm’s way and provide a rapid build-up of combat power ashore in the face of opposition.

Due to their vast capabilities and military equipment, such as aircraft, helicopters as well as a landing deck, these ships are often called upon to support humanitarian missions on short notice.

160 people were on board when ship caught fire

There were 160 people on board the ship when it caught fire, the cause of which is still unknown. San Diego Fire Chief Colin Stowell had earlier said that the ship could burn for days, “down to the water line“.

Admiral Sobeck, commander of the Navy expeditionary strike group whose flagship is the Bonhomme Richard, had also said that there had been burn damage all the way through the skin of the ship.

When asked if the warship could be saved, he had said, “Right now, we’re doing everything we can to do exactly just that. Once we get the fire out, which is the priority, then we make that assessment.”

However, he had also added that there was hope the ship would sail again.