**Title: Deadly Fire on Port Newark Cargo Ship Continues to Rage, Expected to Last Several More Days**
**Subtitle: Multiple agencies and environmental experts collaborate to ensure safety amid ongoing inferno**
**Newark, N.J. -** The disastrous fire that broke out on the Grande Costa D’Avorio cargo ship at Port Newark continues to burn fiercely, with authorities anticipating it to persist for at least two more days. Efforts to extinguish the blaze have been hampered by the challenging conditions and intense heat inside the vessel.
Early Friday morning, even more thick black smoke billowed into the sky, accompanied by alarming popping noises as burning cars on the ship were reignited. In light of the ongoing danger, multiple agencies and environmental experts have converged at the scene to prioritize the safety of first responders, port workers, and residents living nearby.
The devastating fire initially erupted on Wednesday, engulfing several levels of the cargo ship and leading to the tragic deaths of two firefighters, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks Jr., who became trapped in the inferno. Five other firefighters sustained injuries, and additional first responders reported being impacted by the dense smoke.
“The Newark firefighters will be etched in the city’s history, public safety’s history, and the fire department’s history forever. Lost but not forgotten,” stated Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage.
Commanders overseeing the situation have emphasized the immense difficulty of accessing the fire and battling its intensity. Referencing the vessel’s steel structure, Gordon Lorenson, Donjon Marine Co. project manager, explained, “It’s a very complex situation, and you need a very good plan to be able to put firefighters in the vessel to actually put out these fires.” He further mentioned that the burning decks and cars are currently inaccessible to fire teams.
Coast Guard Captain Zeida Merchant underscored the complexity of shipboard firefighting, stressing the need for long-term efforts and consideration of potential damages and environmental impacts.
As a unified command involving the Port Authority, Newark Fire Department, and Gallagher Marine Systems, which represents the ship, works together to address the ongoing crisis, preliminary plans for the upcoming days are being developed. Crews are spraying the vessel with water from the pier, but concerns remain regarding the ship’s stability. To mitigate any tipping risk, additional crews are now pumping water out of the vessel and creating holes in the hull to facilitate drainage.
Merchant emphasized that the safety of responders and complete fire extinguishment remain top priorities, requiring careful coordination and utilization of fire-suppression mechanisms. The ship’s representatives have observed elevated sulfur dioxide readings but have been monitoring and managing air and water quality.
Regarding potential environmental impacts, a task force has been assigned to evaluate the situation, and officials have reported no oil release from the vessel to date. Air quality is being monitored closely using four stationary and one mobile air monitoring devices, though no significant concerns have arisen thus far.
Newark, which houses two vessels at the port, does not have a fire department within the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Bethann Roone, Director of the Port Authority, stated that all possibilities are being considered as the investigation into the cause of the fire awaits the complete extinguishment and cooling of the ship.
While several agencies are actively investigating the cause of the fire, they are unable to commence until it is safe to board the ship. The Grimaldi Group, the ship’s operator, stated that the fire broke out while loading non-electric vehicles, including cars, vans, and trucks.
As the fire on the Port Newark cargo ship rages on, its devastating impact continues to be felt. The collective efforts of multiple agencies and environmental experts aim to ensure the safety of everyone involved while they strive to bring the inferno under control.