The below video seems like a unbiased investigation of what happened: USS Forrestal Aircraft Carrier Disaster HD - Documentary United States Military Full
Nonetheless, while McCain escaped the fire and explosions, his action to leave the ship without permission for R&R in Saigon even with the carrier still on fire shows how his personal priority was not helping others on board.
I wouldn't agree/disagree with that statement, CedarDave, because I don't know anything about that...I know nothing about the hows or whys, who he talked to, or why, how, or when he left the ship. I know nothing more about it than hearing it said it happened, so I can't comment on it.
But that is not the matter in discussion here which is the cause of the fire on the USS Forrestal, and that I do know something about.