Several Hospitalized From Smoke Inhalation Aboard Navy Ship

SAN DIEGO, CA — Several people working on a navy ship at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard were taken to local hospitals after suffering smoke inhalation, authorities said Sunday.

The USS Harpers Ferry landing ship dock was undergoing maintenance when the incident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday at the East Harbor Drive facility, adjacent to Naval Base San Diego.

"We can confirm that there was a build up of smoke due to a fan malfunction near the gym on USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Several personnel were affected with mild to moderate smoke inhalation," a NASSCO spokesman told City News Service on Sunday. "All have been transported to local hospitals for further assessment. Fedfire, Fire Rescue and NASSCO Fire responded immediately and were able to dispel the smoke."

The spokesman said he did not know the number of people affected by the smoke and was awaiting confirmation that all had been treated and released.

The San Diego-based ship is the lead ship of its class of amphibious dock landing ships, which are designed to support amphibious operations by transporting and launching Marines, landing craft and vehicles.

— City News Service