NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Navy probe finds major failures in fire that destroyed ship

Navy Ship Fire
Posted

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Navy report has concluded there were sweeping failures by commanders, crew members and others that fueled the July 2020 arson fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard.

The report, obtained by The Associated Press, called the massive five-day blaze preventable and unacceptable.

A sailor has been charged with setting the fire, but the report lists three dozen officers and sailors whose failings either directly led to the ship’s loss or contributed to it.

The findings detailed widespread lapses in training, coordination, communication, fire preparedness, equipment maintenance and overall command and control.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Saturday

09/13/2025

Clear

-° / 66°

1%

Sunday

09/14/2025

Clear

92° / 67°

1%

Monday

09/15/2025

Clear

97° / 70°

0%

Tuesday

09/16/2025

Clear

101° / 73°

0%

Wednesday

09/17/2025

Partly Cloudy

99° / 75°

3%

Thursday

09/18/2025

Partly Cloudy

93° / 73°

15%

Friday

09/19/2025

Mostly Clear

91° / 69°

8%

Saturday

09/20/2025

Partly Cloudy

89° / 67°

8%