UPDATE 3-At least 11 sailors injured in San Diego navy ship fire - report

(Recasts with report of 11 minor injuries)

By Gabriella Borter

July 12 (Reuters) - At least 11 sailors were taken to San Diego hospitals after suffering minor injuries in a large, ongoing blaze aboard the military ship USS Bonhomme Richard on Sunday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

San Diego firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire around 9 AM PT to find thick black smoke billowing hundreds of feet into the air from several points along the 844-foot (257 m) amphibious assault ship docked at the San Diego Naval base, according to live video footage of the scene.

Emergency crews in boats were alongside the burning ship, spraying it with hoses.

Eleven sailors were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries, Navy Region Southwest spokesman Brian O'Rourke told the Union-Tribune.

A representative from Navy Region Southwest did not immediately return a request for comment.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue department wrote on Twitter that there had been an explosion at the ship and they were working with Federal Fire to clear the area.

All San Diego Fire Rescue responders were accounted for as of 11:19 AM (6:19 PM GMT), the department said on Twitter.

Around noon local time, the department said all its personnel had been instructed to exit the pier, while aerial video footage showed the blaze appeared to grow. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Daniel Wallis)