News reports said the fire was inside the ship, for an indication of how big the fire was this pic (by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin Haist) clearly shows flames jetting from the island superstructure.
On the morning of 12JUL2020 a fire broke out inside amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) while it was moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego. LHD 6 had been in San Diego, California, since 2018 for a major refit.
USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Kory Alsberry, 14JUL2020.
Flight crews with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 used their MH-60S Knighthawks to work around the clock as an airborne bucket brigade, trying to contain the fire.
USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Christina Ross, 13JUL2020.
USN photo by Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick, 13JUL2020.
USN photo by Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick, 13JUL2020.
Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Benjamin Kittleson, 13JUL2020:
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 13JUL2020.
Video by Lieutenant Joseph Pfaff, 13JUL2020:
Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Leitner, 13JUL2020:
While boats and groundcrews focused on shooting water to the inside of the ship, the Knighthawks focused most of their drops on the burning island superstructure. Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jasen MorenoGarcia:
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 14JUL2020.
USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Patrick W. Menah Junior, 14JUL2020.
Night video, by Seaman Zachary Pearson, of Knighthawk water drop on deck surrounding the island superstructure, 15 July:
USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Garrett LaBarge, 14JUL2020.
USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Julio Rivera, 15JUL2020.
USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Julio Rivera, 15JUL2020.
On 16 July, firecrews were evacuated from LHD 6 due the ship listing. The list is blamed on all the water pumped into the ship.
Vehicle I-D: WASH YOUR HAWK!