(US Naval Institute)
Sam LaGrone and Ben Werner November 15, 2019 1:20 PM
Eleven sailors suffered minor injuries during a fire that broke out late Thursday aboard the amphibious warship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), Navy officials told USNI News.
“Sailors on board reported smoke in a cargo hold and a subsequent damage control investigation identified the fire and confirmed the fire had not spread to surrounding spaces,” read a statement from Expeditionary Strike Group 2.
“In total, 11 Iwo Jima Sailors reported minor injuries; they were treated at the scene and released.”
The fire broke out about 11:45 p.m. on Thursday while the amphib was in a maintenance period at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. Ship’s company, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and sailors from nearby guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) fought the fire until it was put out at about 4:35 a.m., according to a report in local station, CBS 47 Action News Jax.
“Sailors are rigorously trained to combat casualties such as this fire, and we are grateful for the assistance of the installation and the local community to help ensure the safety of our people and our ships,” said Iwo Jima commander Capt. Darrell Canady.
The cause of the fire is now under investigation, the service said.
Iwo Jima had been undergoing maintenance since returning from participating in Exercise Trident Juncture with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in December. Previous to the exercise, it had completed a six-month deployment with the 26th MEU in August 2018.
The incident aboard Iwo Jima follows fire damage to two other warships that were undergoing maintenance and repairs in shipyards.