The change to CV occured just after I reported on board in DEC. 1972 .We went to Hunter's Point Shipyard near San Fransisco , California in the first part of 1973 . Part of the conversions made included 'jet-blast deflectors' and catapult upgrades to accomodate F-16 fighters .
I don't know about the fire you mentioned but , there was a major fire in #1 main machinery-room at the first segment of the first Westpac after the yard period in 1973 . We lost 7 guys in the fire .