Cargo Ship Fire at Port Newark Contained and Stabilized
NEWARK, N.J. — According to officials, the cargo ship fire at Port Newark has been contained and the vessel has been stabilized. Crews have successfully controlled the fire to the ship’s 11th deck, preventing it from spreading to other areas of the vessel. Dewatering efforts have also been successful in further stabilizing the ship.
Firefighters had been battling the relentless smoke and flames aboard the Grande Costa D’Avorio for over 48 hours. However, early Saturday morning, there was no visible smoke coming out of the ship. “There’s a team of 20-plus firefighters and additional salvage support, who have been fighting this fire around the clock since it began,” said Tim Wiker, president of Gallagher Marine Systems.
During the firefight, the ship had been tilting to its starboard side as it took on water. Crews used pumps and created holes in the hull to drain out the water. Officials have stated that the ship will continue to list between one and two degrees to starboard to expedite the dewatering process.
The operator of the ship, the Grimaldi Group, confirmed that the fire had started while loading cars, vans, and trucks onto the vessel. The vehicles were not electric, and the company said they were mainly used vehicles that may not have met the requirements for U.S. roads. “So these vehicles may not have been the most safe vehicles to begin with,” said Sal Mercogliano, a maritime expert.
Unfortunately, two firefighters, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks Jr., were trapped aboard the ship and died during the incident. Five other firefighters were injured, and several other first responders reported being affected by the dense smoke.
The U.S. Coast Guard has stated that there are no reports of waterway pollution, and officials are closely monitoring the air quality in the surrounding area.
Christina Fan, a general assignment reporter for CBS2 News, has been covering the progress of the cargo ship fire at Port Newark.
Source: CBS2 News