SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A U.S. sailor is being investigated for arson in connection to the explosion and three-alarm fire that consumed the USS Bonhomme Richard on July 12 at the U.S. Naval Base in San Diego.
Two U.S. defense officials told CNN that the unidentified sailor is being questioned over the possibility the fire was set intentionally.
“There is a potential suspect,” one official told the network, emphasizing the investigation is ongoing, no motive has been established and no one has been charged.
According to The New York Times, the fire resulted in zero fatalities, but 68 military and civilian firefighters were treated for injuries including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. More than 400 sailors from 16 nearby ships battled the blaze that took four days to extinguish.
“The Navy will not comment on an ongoing investigation to protect the integrity of the investigative process and all those involved. We have nothing to announce at this time,” Navy spokesman Lt. Tim Pietrack told the Times.