CNN has reported that the fire that broke out aboard the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford during the war with Iran was far more extensive and dangerous than the US Navy initially disclosed.
Footage obtained by the network showed significant damage inside the vessel, including heavily damaged sailors’ living quarters, collapsed ceilings, and hanging electrical cables. One sailor told CNN that crew members believed they might lose the ship entirely.
According to the report, the carrier’s fire suppression system failed during the incident, forcing crew members to battle the blaze manually for nearly 30 hours.
The fire reportedly displaced around 600 sailors from their sleeping quarters and disrupted flight operations for two days. The carrier later sailed to Greece for temporary repairs.
While details of the incident have emerged through CNN’s reporting, the US Navy maintains that its investigation into the fire remains ongoing.
On Thursday, CNN published video footage of the blaze that erupted aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, in March while it was participating in operations against Iran.
