21 People Are Injured in Navy Ship Fire in San Diego

At least 21 people were injured when a fire and an explosion broke out Sunday on a U.S. Navy warship that was docked in San Diego, causing heavy damage and posing unique hazards for firefighters, officials said.

The ship, the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, had been docked at the U.S. naval base when a fire was reported at 8:30 a.m. in a lower cargo hold that is used for vehicle storage, the Navy said.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the fire or the explosion.

About 160 sailors were aboard the ship at the time, according to the Navy, which said that 17 sailors and four civilians were injured. The injuries were not life-threatening and all crew members had been accounted for, the Navy said. The sailors were being treated at local hospitals.

Rear Adm. Philip E. Sobeck said during a news conference on Sunday night that military and civilian firefighters were still trying to save the ship.