"Most ship compartments do not have installed automatic fire-extinguishing systems such as active sprinklers or CO2 flooding. When such compartments are on fire, mobile anti-fire

apparatus operated by a team of firefighters is needed. However, special rooms such as an

ammunition magazine must have active sprinklers to prevent chain reactions, while others such as the Main Machinery Room and the Pump Room must have Halon, CO2, and AFFF installed inside or nearby.”

-Analysis of Shipboard Firefighting-Team Efficiency

http://www.dodccrp.org/events/2002_CCRTS/Tracks/pdf/010.PDF

>>9941213

There is a pier there. Maybe they can't get the boats close enough.

This view shows firefighting boats on both sides of the USS Bonhomme.

>>9941556

They must have reason to believe that won't happen. Looks like numerous small civilian boats in the area that would probably not be allowed so close if there was a danger of explosion.

>>9941604

I think it was the local Fox station that said the cause 'may have been a welding accident', so maybe that's the story they will go with.