Explosion, fire on guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf injures five
{{date|September 15, 2007}}
[[Image:USSLeyteGulfCG-55.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The [[w:USS Leyte Gulf|USS Leyte Gulf]]]]

Five civilian contractors have been injured after an explosion and fire onboard the [[w:Ticonderoga-class|Ticonderoga-class]] guided missile cruiser [[w:USS Leyte Gulf|USS Leyte Gulf]] at 9:25 a.m. today.

A large explosion erupted from the ship's berthing area where welding work was being conducted during a stop in Norfolk, Virginia. A fire broke out two decks below main deck, but was quickly extinguished. The injured were taken to Norfolk General Hospital for treatment to injuries not believed to be life-threatening, according to John Kowalczyk, a spokesman for [[w:BAE Systems Ship Repair|BAE Systems Ship Repair]], who were conducting the work.

He added that the fire appeared to be an isolated incident. The ship has been laid up for repairs and modernizing since May.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://alaskareport.com/news907/z46670_leyte_gulf.htm
|title=Leyte Gulf catches fire in Norfolk shipyard
|author=
|pub=Alaska Report
|date=September 15, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/15/america/NA-GEN-US-Navy-Ship-Fire.php
|title=Fire aboard guided US missile cruiser injures 4
|author=
|pub=International Herald Tribune
|date=September 15, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6924568,00.html
|title=Navy Missile Cruiser Catches Fire in Va.
|author=
|pub=The Guardian
|date=Saturday September 15, 2007 }}

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[[Category:Fires]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:United States]] [[Category:Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie)]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Virginia]]
[[Category:Norfolk, Virginia]]
USS Leyte Gulf

Five civilian contractors have been injured after an explosion and fire onboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf at 9:25 a.m. today.

A large explosion erupted from the ship's berthing area where welding work was being conducted during a stop in Norfolk, Virginia. A fire broke out two decks below main deck, but was quickly extinguished. The injured were taken to Norfolk General Hospital for treatment to injuries not believed to be life-threatening, according to John Kowalczyk, a spokesman for BAE Systems Ship Repair, who were conducting the work.

He added that the fire appeared to be an isolated incident. The ship has been laid up for repairs and modernizing since May.
Fires Disasters and accidents United States Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie) North America Virginia Norfolk, Virginia