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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.
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Home » Budget Industry » Navy Charges Sailor with Arson, Hazarding a Vessel in 2020 Bonhomme Richard Fire
Navy Charges Sailor with Arson, Hazarding a Vessel in 2020 Bonhomme Richard Fire
July 29, 2021 10:01 PM
Federal firefighters assess damage in the hangar bay aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on July 15, 2020. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated with additional details of the sailor accused of starting the fire aboard the former Bonhomme Richard (LHA-6).
The Navy has filed charges against a sailor for allegedly deliberately starting a fire last year that quickly spread and consumed much of the interior of amphibious assault ship USS
Sailor Charged With Setting USS Bonhomme Richard Fire
Preliminary hearing will lead to recommendation about a court martial.
An unnamed sailor has been charged with setting the fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard last July that burned for days and led to the decommissioning of the ship, the Navy said Thursday.
A criminal investigation into the blaze revealed enough evidence to bring charges against the sailor, who was a member of the ship’s crew at the time of the fire, according to a U.S. 3rd Fleet statement.
“Evidence collected during the investigation is sufficient to direct a preliminary hearing in accordance with due process under the military justice system,” Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a spokesman for U.S. 3rd Fleet, said in the statement.