Fire Rages for 30 Hours on USS Gerald R. Ford; Several Crew Members Ill

A fire broke out last week on the USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States' most advanced and largest aircraft carrier, burning for over 30 hours.

The prolonged blaze has left several crew members ill due to smoke inhalation, according to a report by The New York Times released Monday.

Citing sailors and military officials aboard the vessel, the report indicates that the fire originated in the ship’s laundry section last week.

While the U.S. Navy previously issued a statement confirming the fire had been contained and was not the result of a combat strike, they initially reported only two minor injuries.

However, the scale of the aftermath appears more significant for the 4,500 crew members and airmen currently stationed on the $13 billion supercarrier.

Challenging Conditions Onboard
The Navy maintains that the 100,000-ton vessel’s military operations in the Red Sea—where it is deployed amid ongoing conflict involving Iran—remain unhindered. Despite this, living conditions have become "extremely uncomfortable":

Displaced Crew: At least 600 sailors have lost their living quarters due to the fire. Many are currently sleeping on tables or the ship's floors.

Hygiene Issues: The destruction of the laundry facilities has left the crew unable to wash their clothes.

Sanitation Problems: According to NPR, the ship has also been plagued by chronic toilet malfunctions, requiring frequent external repairs since its departure.

A Historic Deployment
The USS Gerald R. Ford has been at sea since June, traveling through the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean before its current positioning in the Middle East.

If this deployment extends into mid-April, it will mark the longest continuous deployment for a U.S. aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War. CNN has reached out to the U.S. 5th Fleet, responsible for operations in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, for further comment.
Sources: CNN, The New York Times, NPR