Navy looks into causes of fire on USS George Washington

[unhappycamper]

Navy looks into causes of fire on USS George Washington
By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, June 3, 2008

ARLINGTON, Va. — Improperly stored flammable materials may have played a role in a recent fire aboard the USS George Washington that led to two dozen sailors being treated for minor injuries, according to the Navy.

Sailors spent hours fighting the May 22 blaze, which prompted the Navy to postpone next week’s scheduled transfer of about 900 sailors and the air wing from the USS Kitty Hawk to the George Washington.

"While that investigation is still in progress and no specific cause has been identified, there are early indications that improper stowage of flammable and combustible material contributed to the spread and intensity of the fire," said Navy spokesman Cmdr. Jeff Davis.

As a result, the Navy has issued an advisory detailing how flammable and combustible materials should be stored, Davis said in an e-mail on Monday.

The message does not say specifically how these materials might have contributed to the fire aboard the George Washington.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55269