"Intentional arson due to conflict with the command": data from the investigation into the case of the fire at the UDC Bonhomme Richard of the US Navy were announced
In the United States, new details emerge in the case of a fire at the Bonhomme Richard UDC. The fire, we recall, on board the US Navy's amphibious assault ship arose while it was at the naval base in San Diego. At the same time, the fire could not be extinguished for several days, as a result of which the ship received such damage that it turned out to be easier to write it off and then send it to scrap metal rather than restore it. The fire injured 40 sailors and 23 civilians.
Initially, it was reported that the fire at Bonhomme Richard could have occurred due to a violation of the welding regulations. However, then the situation began to clear up.
The investigation in the United States came to the unequivocal conclusion that the fire at the Wasp-type UDC did not arise by accident. American investigators, as they themselves say, have collected a weighty evidence base, which indicates the involvement of one of the crew members in the arson of the warship.
From partially released materials of the investigation:
One of the sailors was charged with deliberate arson. Information has been collected that he was hostile to the command. He had a conflict with the commanders.
The reason for this conflict has not yet been reported.
Vice Admiral Scott Conn (Commander of the 3rd fleet U.S. Navy):
The fire actually started as a result of arson. The ship was eventually lost. The flame raged for about 4 days.
In the published report, it is said that in the first minutes after the outbreak of the fire, the crew did not take exhaustive measures to prevent the spread of the flame. In particular, the sailors did not activate the fire extinguishing foam system.
From the report:
The minimum participation of the crew in extinguishing the fire in the first minutes after its detection was established. The sailors were unprepared for firefighting, they were unable to coordinate their actions with civilian specialists.
In the United States, they note that 36 crew members may receive at least disciplinary action due to failure to take proper measures to extinguish a fire that led to the loss of the US Navy's amphibious assault ship.
Information