New Jersey cargo ship fire rages on, Coast Guard to hold urgent meeting.

A Tragic Fire Engulfs Cargo Ship in New Jersey Port

A cargo ship continues to burn fiercely for a third day at a New Jersey port, leaving behind a devastating aftermath. This tragic incident has not only claimed the lives of two brave firefighters but has also exposed the gaps in the emergency response capabilities of fire crews when dealing with massive container ships.

The Italian-flagged Grande Costa d’Avorio, docked in Newark, became the center of attention as crews battled the flames. Jets of water were shot into the ship, attempting to control the periodic flares that erupted from the section loaded with hundreds of vehicles on multiple decks.

The Coast Guard and other officials are scheduled to hold a news conference later today to provide an update on the situation.

Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr., both Newark firefighters, tragically lost their lives while fighting the blaze that broke out on the 10th floor of the ship on Wednesday night. Their heroic sacrifice will forever be remembered.

We are saddened to announce the passing of two Newark Firefighters, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr., who each died while fighting a fire at Port Newark that began July 5 and continued into July 6.

Our deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of the fallen. pic.twitter.com/R5FVWyeNSK

— City of Newark (@CityofNewarkNJ) July 6, 2023

The fire rapidly spread to the 11th and 12th floors, forcing firefighters to retreat due to the intense heat. Five other firefighters sustained injuries during the operation.

Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson revealed that while the department had received training on ships before, they had not encountered this specific type of cargo vessel. The ship in question differed from the passenger-carrying ships they had previously trained on.

According to marine traffic trackers, the ship, built in 2011, had arrived from the Port of Baltimore a few days prior to the incident.

The fire broke out on the 10th deck of the ship as the crew, consisting of 28 members, and local stevedores were in the process of loading over 1,200 new and used cars, vans, and trucks destined for West Africa, as reported by Grimaldi Deep Sea.

The company’s statement emphasized that the crew promptly activated on-board fire suppression procedures and alerted the local firefighting service, whose swift response played a crucial role in containing and controlling the blaze. They also assured that no electric cars or hazardous cargo were on board, no fuel spills had been detected, and the ship’s stability remained uncompromised.

If you listen closely, you’ll hear popping noises / explosions coming from the ship deck. Over the last 20 minutes, I’ve heard an upwards of at least 15 pops. The smell is putrid. Black smoke continues to billow into the sky… flames raging on here at Port Newark. @News12NJ pic.twitter.com/Tcla4V2NvL

— Ali Reid (@alireidtv) July 7, 2023

While the cause of the fire remains unknown, the Grimaldi Group has pledged to cooperate with authorities in conducting an investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board will also be involved in the investigation, with the Coast Guard taking the lead, according to Jennifer Gabris, an NTSB spokeswoman.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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