Denis Poroy/AP
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Denis Poroy/AP
Smoke rises from the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego after an explosion and fire last year at Naval Base San Diego. The U.S. Navy said Thursday that arson charges have been filed against a sailor.
Denis Poroy/AP
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Navy charged a sailor Thursday with starting a fire last year that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard docked off San Diego, marking the maritime branch's worst warship blaze outside of combat in recent memory.
The amphibious assault ship burned for more than four days. Left with extensive structural, electrical and mechanical damage, the ship was later scrapped. Estimates to replace it ran up to $4 billion.