Updated: Engine Fire Breaks Out On U.S. Navy Cruiser, Ship Returns to Homeport

April 16, 2014 8:54 AM - Updated: April 22, 2014 2:20 PM
USS Hue City (CG 66) returns to its homeport of Naval Station Mayport in 2013. US Navy Photo
USS Hue City (CG 66) returns to its homeport of Naval Station Mayport in 2013. US Navy Photo

The Navy is investigating fire onboard guided missile cruiser USS Hué City (CG-66) during the ship’s transit of the Atlantic on its way to a deployment in the Mediterranean, Navy officials told USNI News Wednesday.

No one was injured in the fire, but the ship is returning to Naval Station Mayport, Fla. instead of continuing to 6th Fleet.

“There is an assessment team onboard trying to figure out the extent of the damage,” U.S. Fleet Forces spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Reann Mommsen told USNI News.
“Obviously, it’s bad enough that they’re coming back to Mayport.”

The ship suffered the fire about 200 miles northeast of Bermuda, according to Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren.

“The fire spread through stacks one and three to the first and third decks, and created multiple fires. All the fires were extinguished without injury,” according to a Tuesday report in Stars and Stripes.

Hué City is a Ticonderoga-class cruiser equipped with a ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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