Ship Fire That Killed Newark Firefighters Still Under Investigation

NEWARK, NJ — What was the condition of the Grande Costa D’Avorio when it caught fire while docked at Port Newark last July? What is the cargo loading process for vehicles at the busy commerce center? How did the ship’s crew and fire departments in the area respond? And are there any important lessons that can be learned from the tragedy? These are some of the questions that federal investigators plan to probe at a series of public hearings set to begin on Wednesday.

The fire aboard the Grande Costa D’Avorio – a cargo ship carrying more than 1,200 new and used vehicles and 157 containers – broke out on the evening of July 5. Two Newark firefighters died after they were trapped inside the vessel: Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks Jr., 49.

Five other firefighters were injured, authorities said. Read More: 2 Newark Firefighters Killed While Battling Cargo Ship Blaze (Updated)

The blaze continued into the weekend, with videos showing the intensity of the flames and the violent aftermath of the fire. Watch surveillance footage online here and here.

The ship’s owner, the Grimaldi Group, told The New York Times that the vessel carried more than 1,200 new and used vehicles and 157 containers, but there was no hazardous cargo on the ship. It was not spilling fuel or in danger of sinking, the company added.

According to federal court filings, the blaze began after a 16-year-old Jeep Wrangler that was being used to push an inoperable Toyota Venza erupted in flames, setting fire to hundreds of junked vehicles nearby, NJ Advance Media reported.

The Newark Fire Department had not conducted marine firefighting training in nearly a decade prior to the fatal blaze, NJ Advance Media reported.

INVESTIGATION/PUBLIC HEARING

The Coast Guard, in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board, is scheduled to conduct a formal public hearing this week to consider evidence related to the fire.

The hearing will be open to the public daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Jan. 10 to Jan. 12, and again from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18. It will take place at the Union Township City Council Chambers at 1976 Morris Avenue in Union.

The hearing will be broadcast live and recorded (watch the video here).

Here’s what to expect, according to the Coast Guard:

“The hearing will focus on the condition of the Grande Costa D’Avorio prior to and at the time of the fire, the cargo loading process for vehicles at the port of Newark, initial response actions by the ship’s crew, and response to the fire by local land-based fire departments.”

The Coast Guard added:

“The Grande Costa D’Avorio marine casualty met the requirements for a formal investigation level of effort due to the loss of two Newark firefighters’ lives during the response and the significant damage to the Grande Costa D’Avorio. The Coast Guard First District Commander, Rear Adm. John Mauger, initiated a ‘District Formal Investigation’ under 46 CFR 4.07-1. This was influenced primarily by the potential lessons to be derived from the casualty for public interest. Investigations of marine casualties and accidents and the determinations made from them, are generally for the purposes of taking appropriate measures for promoting safety of life and property at sea and are not intended to fix civil or criminal responsibility.”

The Coast Guard has provided an email address for the public and interested parties to provide information, ask questions and make comments related to the ongoing investigation and scheduled hearing. The email address – PADETNY@uscg.mil – will be checked regularly and all correspondence will be acknowledged. Respondents should use the subject line: “Newark ship fire.”

Additional information about the hearing, to include the schedule, fact sheets and biographies, as well as any future news releases and documentation can be found here.

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