Last month’s fire aboard the Navy’s USS Bonhomme Richard is being investigated as a potential case of arson.
A senior Navy official told the New York Times that a joint investigation between the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has questioned a sailor who is considered to be a suspect. The sailor, who has not been publicly identified, has not been charged, and no motive has been established. The investigation is reportedly expected to be completed by the end of next month.
“The Navy will not comment on an ongoing investigation to protect the integrity of the investigative process and all those involved,” said Navy spokesman Lt. Tim Pietrack. “We have nothing to announce at this time.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Pentagon for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The Bonhomme Richard went up in flames on July 12 and burned for four days at its home port at Naval Base San Diego. About 160 people were on board the 840-foot amphibious assault ship when the blaze broke out at 9 a.m. local time. Nobody was killed by the inferno, although 68 firefighters suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.
Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, revealed last month that the Halon fire suppression system aboard the vessel was not operating and was undergoing maintenance when the blaze began.
