Explosion During Ship Maintenance

Sunday, November 11th 2007, 2:44 pm

By: News On 6

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- One person remains in critical condition after an explosion onboard a Navy cruiser yesterday in San Diego. The ship was undergoing routine maintenance work in a shipyard dry dock.

The worker is one of six who were injured in the blast. A hospital official describes his burns as potentially fatal.

Another worker is in fair condition, and two are in good condition. The other two injured workers were treated at the scene of the explosion and released.

A fire department spokesman says subcontractors were working in the fuel tank of the USS Lake Champlain when the explosion happened. Officials say flammable gas apparently ignited, but they don't know how or why.