An explosion and fire on board a US warship docked at a naval base in San Diego has injured 21 people and prompted an evacuation of the vessel.
A statement from the Navy put the number of people sent to the hospital at 17 sailors and four civilians.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department says the fire erupted at about 8:30 am local time aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault vessel.
Aerial video footage from the scene showed much of the 257 metre warship engulfed in thick smoke, as firefighting boats in the harbour aimed streams of water at it.
About 160 sailors were aboard when the fire was first reported. San Diego television station KGTV reported the ship was undergoing routine maintenance at the time and normally carries a crew of roughly 1,000.
Rear Admiral Charles Brown, a US Navy spokesman, said the injured sailors had mostly sustained smoke inhalation and minor burns.
Two other warships docked nearby were moved to piers farther from the burning vessel within the next 90 minute.
The Bonhomme Richard, commissioned in 1998, has participated in several military operations over the years and also has appeared in a pair of Hollywood films - the 2012 sci-fi action movie "Battleship," and "Act of Valor," which featured active-duty US Navy SEALs.
Australian Associated Press
