Leyte Gulf catches fire in Norfolk shipyard
Contractors hurt in blaze
Norfolk, Virginia - The U.S.S. Leyte Gulf had a fire aboard Saturday morning that was quickly extinguished - but not before five civilian contractors were hurt.
A large explosion at 9:29 AM came from the Navy ship's berthing area were some welding was going on. A reporter on the scene said fire was coming from two decks and some were suffering from smoke inhalation.
Five contractors were taken to Norfolk General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, said John Kowalczyk, a spokesman for BAE Systems Ship Repair, which was handling the work.
"It appears to be an isolated fire," he said, adding that there was no indication of terrorism. The guided-missile cruiser has been in the yard since May undergoing repairs.
USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) is a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser in the United States Navy. She was named in memory of the World War II Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific. She is powered by four large gas-turbine engines, and she has a large complement of guided missiles for air defense, attack of surface targets, and ashore, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). In addition, she carries two "Seahawk" LAMPS multi-purpose helicopters.
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USS Leyte Gulf

Five civilian contractors have been injured after an explosion and fire onboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf at 9:25 a.m. today.

A large explosion erupted from the ship's berthing area where welding work was being conducted during a stop in Norfolk, Virginia. A fire broke out two decks below main deck, but was quickly extinguished. The injured were taken to Norfolk General Hospital for treatment to injuries not believed to be life-threatening, according to John Kowalczyk, a spokesman for BAE Systems Ship Repair, who were conducting the work.

He added that the fire appeared to be an isolated incident. The ship has been laid up for repairs and modernizing since May.