Videos Show Fatal Ship Fire At Port Newark; Investigation Continues

NEWARK, NJ — An investigation continues into the fatal cargo ship fire that killed two Newark firefighters and injured several others last week.

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 two videos showing the intensity of the flames and the violent aftermath of the fire. Watch the footage below, or see the videos online here and here.

The Unified Command issued an update about the fire last weekend, noting that emergency responders were starting to get the upper hand:

“As of Saturday afternoon, the fire is contained on the 11th deck and is being suppressed and no longer spreading to other areas of the vessel. Responders are also continuing dewatering operations on the lower decks. Due to successful dewatering, the vessel has been further stabilized. The vessel will continue to list between one and two degrees to starboard as a way to accelerate the dewatering process.”

“As of Sunday, the 11th deck is being monitored and overhauled to address any remaining heat sources,” authorities added in a second update. “Responders are dewatering spaces as necessary to ensure continued stability.”

“Air monitoring specialists, contracted by Gallagher Marine Systems, continue to perform air monitoring around the vessel and in the surrounding areas,” authorities said, adding that additional air monitoring devices are being deployed to extend the footprint of the monitored area.

Authorities said that no air quality alerts above hazardous levels in the surrounding areas have been seen since monitoring began at 9 p.m. on July 6.

There was no visible pollution or sheen in the water, but it was discolored from soot, officials said. Water samples were collected on Friday and test results from those samples were expected to be returned within 48 hours.

As of 5 p.m. on Sunday, the Port Newark Channel has reopened. The Port of New York and New Jersey remains open and operational.

The cause of the fire remains unclear, according to a statement from the Unified Command, which consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Newark Fire Department and Gallagher Marine Systems.

“A formal investigation will be conducted to identify what caused the fire and subsequent fatalities, and all investigative parties at the federal, state and local levels – as well as the owners [of the vessel] – are working closely together during this process,” authorities said.

FUNERALS, INJURY UPDATES

Newark public safety officials gave a weekend update on the status of two firefighters who were injured in the initial response to the fire.

“We are pleased to report that each of the Newark fire captains who were injured while fighting the fire at Port Newark have been released from the hospital,” Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said.

“The Newark fire captain who suffered burns from water accumulated on the cargo ship’s floor is reportedly in stable condition and will complete his recovery at home,” he added.

Meanwhile, the city continues to mourn for Acabou and Brooks, who “made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” as Gov. Phil Murphy recently said.

Separate viewings and funerals will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street, in Newark.

Arrangements for Acabou are:

• July 12 – Viewing, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• July 13 – Funeral, 10 a.m.

Arrangements for Brooks are:

• July 13 – Viewing, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• July 14 – Funeral, 10 a.m.

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