THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 16, 1994 TAG: 9407160258
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
A fire aboard the Norfolk-based carrier George Washington, currently deployed in the Adriatic Sea, sent 13 sailors suffering smoke inhalation to the infirmary, Navy officials said.
The fire was discovered about 10:45 p.m. Monday (4:45 p.m. EDT) when smoke was seen in the ship's laundry followed by a report of fire at a refueling station near the flight deck.
Firefighting and damage control teams extinguished the flames within 70 minutes.
Aircraft that were airborne at the time had to be diverted to airfields in Italy as a precaution. Full flight operations resumed aboard the carrier later.
The sailors who suffered smoke inhalation were treated aboard and all returned to duty.
Damage was limited to a portion of the refueling station, an aviation-equipment test station and three nearby compartments. Each received some heat, smoke and water damage.
Most repairs can be made at sea by the ship's crew, or from the Norfolk-based destroyer tender Puget Sound, which is deployed in the Mediterranean Sea.
The cost of repairing the damage has not been determined.
Rear Adm. Alexander J. Krekich, the battle group's commander, called the crew's response ``superb.'' Several sailors are expected to be singled out for commendations.
The George Washington left Norfolk on May 20 on a six-month deployment. This is the carrier's first overseas cruise since its commissioning two years ago. It is commanded by Capt. Robert G. Sprigg.
KEYWORDS: FIRE GEORGE WASHINGTON, U.S.S. by CNB