California IN BRIEF : SAN DIEGO : Sailor Killed, Seven Hurt in Carrier Fire

One sailor was killed and seven others suffered minor smoke inhalation during a fire aboard the aircraft carrier Independence early Thursday, a Navy spokesman said. The fire began about 1:45 a.m. in an equipment room where liquid oxygen is stored, Chief Petty Officer Doug Gorham said. The dead sailor’s name was withheld pending notification of next of kin. The seven sailors who suffered smoke inhalation were able to return to full duty later in the day, Gorham said. The Independence left San Diego Monday for its new home port of Yokosuka, Japan. It was not immediately clear where the carrier was at the time of the fire.