Improperly stored materials helped a fire aboard George Washington

Improperly stored materials helped a fire aboard the aircraft carrier George Washington spread and intensify, a Navy spokesman said Friday.  In the wake of the May 22 fire, which damaged several decks of the ship, the Navy is warning sailors to make sure combustible materials are properly stored. The investigation into the fire is still under way and a cause has not been determined, said Lt. Sean Robertson. He would not say what materials were improperly stored. The fire started in an exhaust trunk in a boiler area of the ship, he said. The trunk runs through several decks, which allowed the blaze to spread. Twenty-four sailors suffered minor injuries and the crew was at general quarters, a high alert, for 12 hours. The ship is now in San Diego. The Navy has not said how long repairs will take or how much they’ll cost. The George Washington left Norfolk in April for its new homeport, Yokosuka, Japan. It was supposed to rendezvous this weekend in Hawaii with the carrier Kitty Hawk, but that event has been canceled, Robertson said.