I doubt they are “allowing it to spread”. There are a lot of very large open spaces on LHA/LHD class ships, including the hangar and the well deck/vehicle ramps/platforms, that make it very hard to set boundaries if the fire is in those spaces. During maintenance periods there are also typically large ventilation hoses and air/power/welding leads, etc running down long passageways that prevent boundaries being set. I don’t know what was involved in the F-35 modification, but significant reinforcement of the flight deck could mean firemain systems were cut, rerouted, or in some state of non-operation.
Once firefighting team evacuated, the ship was in serious trouble. Fighting a shipboard fire from a tug is not very effective. You need teams onboard. If you have a fire in your kitchen, and can only spray water from the street, you are probably going to lose your home.
Thank you.
Yes, and from the videos I've seen it looked like boat hoses were concentrating their water on the hull to cool it down before the fire hit some fuel or other. Firefighters often direct their attack on neighboring homes.
As an aviation swabbie, I was taught to protect the next aircraft over during firefighting drills on the flight deck. It was a lesson learned from the Forrestal.