Title: Cargo Ship Fire at Port Newark Continues to Burn, Two Firefighters Killed
Date: [Date]
Location: Port Newark, New Jersey
Two firefighters lost their lives while battling a raging fire that broke out over 35 hours ago on a cargo ship at Port Newark. The fire, which started on the 10th deck of the ship named the Grande Costa D’Avorio, has continued to burn and is projected to last for several more days.
Efforts to combat the fire have been hindered due to the explosion of vehicle gas tanks, which have added literal fuel to the already intense blaze. Newark’s fire chief, Rufus Jackson, stated that his department lacked adequate training and equipment to deal with such an incident, especially involving cars filled with gas on a cargo ship.
The tragedy occurred on Wednesday night, when Newark Firefighters responded to a report of multiple vehicles on fire on a ship at Port Newark. Upon arrival, they discovered that the fire had spread from five to seven cars on the 10th deck to the 11th and 12th floors of the vessel.
Despite their best efforts, firefighters were forced to retreat due to the intense heat. Two firefighters, identified as Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bears” Brooks Jr., were tragically trapped inside the ship and pronounced dead. Acabou, a nine-year veteran of the Newark Fire Department, was assigned to Engine 16, while Brooks served for 16.5 years and was assigned to Ladder 4.
Apart from the two fatalities, five other firefighters sustained injuries while battling the flames. Three of the injured firefighters were from the Newark Fire Department, while the other two were from the Elizabeth Fire Department. They were immediately transported to University Hospital in Newark for treatment.
The cargo ship was carrying approximately 5,000 vehicles, none of which were electric cars or hazardous cargo. While the ship is listing slightly on the starboard side, authorities assure that it remains stable. Air quality in the area is being monitored closely, and there have been no reports of pollution in the water.
The incident has raised concerns about the preparedness and training of firefighters in dealing with emergencies at Port Authority locations. Newark Mayor Baraka expressed his intention to have a thorough discussion with the Port Authority to address these concerns and ensure better coordination in the future.
Governor Phil Murphy also expressed his condolences and highlighted the bravery and sacrifice of the fallen firefighters, emphasizing the dangers faced by those in the firefighting profession.
The Grimaldi Group, the company that owns the cargo ship, issued a statement expressing their sorrow over the loss of the firefighters’ lives. They pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation into the cause of the fire in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Container activity at Port Newark has been minimally affected, with 99.5% of operations proceeding as usual. Meanwhile, other ships scheduled to move cargo at the port are currently staying at anchor, awaiting further developments.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, as authorities work tirelessly to bring the inferno under control and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
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