Navy Charges Sailor With Starting Fire That Ravaged USS Bonhomme Richard

San Diego CA

30 July, 2021

9:38 AM

Description

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego July 29, 2021 The Navy announced Thursday that it has charged a sailor with starting the fire that severely damaged the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard last year while docked for maintenance at Naval Base San Diego. "Charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice were brought forth against a Navy sailor in response to evidence found during the criminal investigation into the fire started on USS Bonhomme Richard," said Cmdr. Sean Robertson, spokesman for the 3rd Fleet. "The sailor was a member of Bonhomme Richard's crew at the time and is accused of starting the fire," Robertson said. He said Vice Adm. Steve Koehler, commander of the 3rd Fleet, is considering court-martial charges and has ordered a preliminary hearing. The identity of the sailor was not immediately disclosed. The fire that began on the morning of July 12 took days to extinguish and left the ship listing and it's aluminum superstructure largely destroyed. The Navy ultimately decided it couldn't be repaired. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.