San Diego- US (ANN)-Fire and an ensuing explosion have been reported on a ship at the US Naval base in San Diego.

It was not immediately clear what caused Sunday’s explosion on the Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship and light aircraft carrier.

According to Krishna Jackson, a Navy spokeswoman, the ship had been docked for scheduled maintenance between deployments.

She suggested that it was unlikely for a docked ship to normally have large artillery onboard.

SDFD personnel were instructed to exit the pier. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/vxLFBXHmrs

— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020

At least 18 sailors were taken to hospital over sustaining what was reported as minor injuries.

The three-alarm fire made thick black smoke come out of several points along the 257-meter assault ship.


Smoke pours from the USS Bonhomme Richard at the US Naval base in San Diego on July 12, 2020.
Source: Presstv.