New Jersey: Two firefighters have died and five others were injured in a massive fire aboard a cargo ship in New Jersey, officials said on Thursday.
The cargo ship Grande Costa d’Avorio was loaded with 1,200 new and used vehicles docked at Port Newark. reuters informed of.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 10:30 a.m. EST on the 10th deck of the Italian-flagged vessel, according to a statement released by ship operator Grimaldi Deep Sea.
Chief Rufus Jackson, speaking during a news conference, said that as members of the Newark Fire Department responded, the fire engulfed the 11th and 12th levels.
He said the fire brigade personnel working to douse the fire had to retreat due to the scorching heat.
Jackson said, “Two firefighters were lost on the way back. Initially a search was made to recover the two firefighters and we were unable to do so.”
The two firefighters who lost their lives in the incident were Wayne Brooks Jr., 49, and Augusto Akabu, 45. The other five were taken to the hospital for smoke and burn injuries.
“This is no ordinary fire for the City of Newark and Newark firefighters,” Jackson said. “It’s a different type of fire, and they’re still willing to put themselves at stake.”
Port Newark is one of the largest ports in the US and one of the busiest on the Eastern Seaboard.
Grimaldi Deep Sea said it did not know how the fire started, adding that there had been no detection of a fuel spill at sea. He further said that the ship is stable.
The company said the cargo ship had cars, vans, rolling equipment and 157 shipping containers in addition to the crew. It added that there were no electric cars or dangerous goods on the ship.
