Newark Firefighters Augusto Acabou, Wayne Brooks Jr. killed battling cargo ship fire at Port Newark

NEWARK, N.J. — Two firefighters had been killed in a single day battling a fireplace aboard a cargo ship in Port Newark. 

Newark Hearth Chief Rufus Jackson recognized them as 49-year-old Wayne Brooks Jr. and 45-year-old Augusto Acabou, each members of Engine 16 on town’s east aspect.

“That is the final word, final sacrifice of the hearth service to lose a brother or sister of this career,” he stated. “I ask that every considered one of us — not solely those who’re standing in entrance of me, however the residents of Newark, the communities all through our nation — hearth service isn’t just a municipality. It is a brotherhood, a sisterhood all through the nation. And I ask that every of them pray for our brothers.” 

Officers stated a complete of 5 firefighters had been injured and are actually recovering. One firefighter stays hospitalized with vital accidents, in accordance with a supply briefed on the scenario.

The supply stated the ship was loaded with used vehicles that had been apparently headed abroad to be refurbished and bought.

CBS New York’s John Dias and Zinnia Maldonado have stay staff protection from the scene this morning. 

Watch John Dias’ newest report


Firefighters nonetheless battling Port Newark hearth

03:20

The hearth broke out round 9:30 p.m. Wednesday on the ship docked by Corbin and Marsh streets. 

The chief stated the 12-story vessel was carrying roughly 5,000 automobiles on the time. The flames began on the tenth ground and unfold to the 2 above.

“There was a mayday. We had considered one of our brothers was misplaced throughout the hearth. We had the courageous women and men of the Newark Hearth Division made the final word sacrifice to deliver this particular person out, and made a number of efforts beneath excessive situations, excessive warmth,” Chief Jackson stated. “They had been in a position to deliver Firefighter Acabou out. Then, we had one other mayday, which was Firefighter Wayne Brooks.”

“I sat there and watched firefighters come out of a fireplace, take all of their issues off in full exhaustion — from the purpose of passing out — then, placing the stuff again on minutes later and getting in line to return in once more. I noticed this over and again and again,” stated Mayor Ras Baraka.

Chopper 2 Flying

Chopper 2 is testing tales and visitors across the space, together with the scene of a lethal hearth on board a cargo ship in Port Newark. Watch stay staff protection on CBS Information New York: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/stay/

Posted by CBS New York on Thursday, July 6, 2023

Earlier this morning, a procession for the firefighters traveled from the port to a close-by hospital.     

“Our hearts are heavy right this moment as we mourn the lack of two Newark firefighters, who made the final word sacrifice within the line of obligation,” Gov. Phil Murphy stated in a press release Thursday morning. “Tammy and I prolong our deepest condolences to their households and family members, and we pray that these injured have a full and speedy restoration. This tragedy is a painful reminder of the risks our firefighters face and their exceptional braveness.”

“Coast Guard is actively concerned with the joint response and centered on the security of responders, in addition to assessing general affect on the maritime transportation system and the surroundings,” wrote Capt. Zeita Service provider, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York and captain of port of New York and New Jersey, in a press release. “Our ideas are with Newark Hearth Division, our companion businesses and the households of the firefighters misplaced throughout this response. These responders are working in inherently harmful hazardous situations when incidents of this nature happen, and their loss is really tragic.”

“The FDNY mourns with the Newark Hearth Division after the lack of two Firefighters who had been killed whereas bravely combating a fireplace within the Port of Newark early this morning. Our hearts exit to the Newark Hearth Division and the households of the 2 fallen Firefighters,” the FDNY tweeted.

Watch Zinnia Maldonado’s report


Studying extra about cargo ship that caught hearth at Port Newark

01:35

CBS New York discovered the ship, referred to as Grande Costa D’Avorio, traveled from Baltimore on a two-day journey. It might probably maintain greater than 47,000 tons and was carrying 1000’s of vehicles on the time.

The ship was inbuilt 2011 and sails beneath the flag of Italy, as a result of it is owned by one of many nation’s main ship homeowners, a family-owned firm referred to as the Grimaldi Group. The corporate specializes within the maritime transport of vehicles, in addition to transport containers. 

The port, formally referred to as the Port Newark Container Terminal, is about 272 acres — the most important container port on the East Coast.

There’s nonetheless no phrase on how precisely the hearth began. 

Persist with CBS New York for the newest on this creating story.

#Newark #Firefighters #Augusto #Acabou #Wayne #Brooks #killed #battling #cargo #ship #hearth #Port #Newark