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.
The sailor was a member of the crew at the time, Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a U.S. 3rd Fleet spokesperson, said in a statement. The sailor was charged with aggravated arson and the willful hazarding of a vessel, Robertson said. No name was released.
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Charges have been brought forth against a sailor in response to evidence found during the criminal investigation into the fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard docked by San Diego last year, according to a Navy spokesman.
U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs Officer Navy Cmdr. Sean Robertson said there was enough evidence to direct a preliminary hearing in accordance with due process under the military justice system.
The sailor was a member of the Bonhomme Richard s crew at the time and is accused of starting the fire, Robertson said in a news release sent out on Wednesday afternoon.
NBCUniversal, Inc.
Charges have been brought forth against a sailor in response to evidence found during the criminal investigation into the fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard docked by San Diego last year, according to a Navy spokesman.
U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs Officer Navy Cmdr. Sean Robertson said there was enough evidence to direct a preliminary hearing in accordance with due process under the military justice system.
The sailor was a member of the Bonhomme Richard s crew at the time and is accused of starting the fire, Robertson said in a news release sent out on Wednesday afternoon.
Denis Poroy/AP
toggle caption 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.
Navy Charges Sailor with Setting Fire that Destroyed USS Bonhomme Richard
In this July 12, 2020, file photo, smoke rises from the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego after an explosion and fire on board the ship at Naval Base San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
29 Jul 2021 Associated Press | By Julie Watson
SAN DIEGO The U.S. Navy said Thursday that it s charged a sailor with starting a fire last year that destroyed a warship docked off San Diego.
The USS Bonhomme Richard burned for more than four days and was the Navy’s worst U.S. warship fire outside of combat in recent memory. The amphibious assault ship was left with extensive structural, electrical and mechanical damage and was later scrapped, costing the Navy billions of dollars.