A fire on the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has impacted over 600 crew members, with injuries reported but no damage to operational capabilities.
A fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy has been revealed to be more serious than initially reported.
According to U.S. officials and personnel on board, the fire initially broke out in the laundry area. However, the flames spread through the ventilation ducts, causing the incident to escalate and reach the ship's berthing areas. This situation affected the living quarters of over 600 personnel, which is approximately one-eighth of the total crew.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the fire may have been caused by an electrical malfunction and was not related to combat. It was reported that two sailors were injured but in a non-life-threatening manner, and the ship's propulsion system was not damaged, maintaining its operational capability.
According to information reported by The New York Times, the fire started in a dryer’s ventilation line and took more than 30 hours to bring under control. Following the incident, it was noted that over 600 personnel were left without beds and had to stay in temporary accommodations.
During the fire, the aircraft carrier strike group to which the USS Gerald R. Ford is assigned was operating north of the Red Sea, away from the high-risk Strait of Hormuz. Officials emphasized that the incident was not the result of enemy action.
Despite the disruptions, it is reported that the ship continues its mission and is expected to set a record with its prolonged deployment period. However, the current developments have brought the ship's maintenance needs and operational burden back into focus.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
