The Burning of Bonhomme Richard
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A Navy sailor is under investigation in connection with the fire that caused extensive damage to the USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego, sources told ABC 10News.
Multiple sources with close ties to Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) told ABC 10News that investigators determined the July 12 fire may have been set intentionally. Investigators identified a sailor as an arson suspect in their probe, sources said.
The sources added multiple search warrants were executed at the sailor’s home and property. The sailor’s name and rank were not disclosed.
On Tuesday, a Navy spokesperson told ABC 10News that NCIS requested help from the National Response Team for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) because the agency provides resources and expertise on complex, large-scale incidents like the massive ship fire.
Via the Drive, which appropriately cautions that the suspect remains only a suspect. If the cause of the fire was arson, it’s possibly the single most costly act of arson in naval history. There’s some recent precedent, as a fire set by a painter destroyed the USS Miami in 2012.