SAN DIEGO : 4 Sailors Burned in Fire Aboard Ranger

Four sailors aboard the aircraft carrier Ranger, docked at North Island Naval Air Station, were burned Wednesday night when a plane engine sucked in fuel from a burst hose and caused a flash fire, Navy officials said.

One sailor was taken to UCSD Medical Center with second- and third-degree burns over 15% of his body, Navy spokeswoman Pat Neal said. He was reported in stable condition Thursday, Navy officials said.

The others were treated by the carrier’s medical officers, Neal said. The names of the injured were not released late Thursday pending notification of their relatives.

All are assigned to Attack Squadron 128 from Whidbey Island, Wash., she said.

The fire occurred about midnight Wednesday when an aircraft refueling hose burst next to a jet and fuel was sucked into its engines, Neal said. The fire engulfed the entire aircraft, but was quickly extinguished, Neal said.

Damage to the aircraft and ship were reported as minor.