PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- Fires aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger early Tuesday killed six crewmen and at least 35 were injured during operations in the northern Arabian Sea, the Navy said.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters said the first fire broke out at 9:50 a.m. local time in one of the San Diego-based ship's four main machinery spaces and an adjoining auxiliary equipment space.
Lt. Liza Collins said the Ranger's commanding officer, Capt. Arthur H. Fredrickson, reported both fires were extinguished within an hour. A reflash occurred but the later fire was out by 12:07 p.m.
There was no immediate explanation as to how the six deaths occurred. Collins said Fredrickson reported the injuries were mainly due to smoke inhalation, minor burns and heat exhaustion, and were not severe enough to warrant medical evacuation.
The Ranger's damage control and firefighting parties concentrated their efforts in the main machinery space, containing two of the ship's eight boilers, one propulsion engine and related equipment.
Collins said the auxiliary machinery space contains an evaporator for making fresh water, turbogenerators, air conditioning equipment and miscellaneous water and fuel pumps.
Fredrickson reported some damage was done to the ship's engine spaces but the Ranger was able to resume operations.
A Navy board of inquiry will be convened to investigate the incident.
The names of the dead and injured are being withheld until relatives have been notified.
