15 Marines injured during training at Camp Pendleton

Sept. 13 (UPI) -- A fire during an amphibious assault vehicle training session left 15 Marines injured on Camp Pendleton in California, U.S. military officials said Wednesday.

A news release from the 1st Marine Division said the vehicle caught fire during land-based training at 9:33 a.m. Those injured belonged to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment and 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion.

Among those injured:

-- Eight were transported to the burn center at University of California San Diego Health, where three were in critical condition and five were in serious condition.

-- Four were transported to the University of California Irvine Medical Center, where two were in critical condition. The condition of the two others was unknown.

-- One was transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in stable condition.

The type of vehicle used in the training is one that is used to transport Marines from sea to land and has been in use since the 1970s.

"The 1st Marine Division would like to thank the civilian and military emergency personnel who responded immediately to the situation and allowed the injured Marines to receive rapid care," the news release said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marines and their families affected by this incident."

Officials were investigating the cause of the incident.