2 Newark firefighters killed fighting a cargo ship fire

Two Newark firefighters were killed and five others injured battling a blaze that began deep inside a docked cargo ship carrying more than a thousand vehicles, officials said Thursday.

Responding firefighters found five to seven vehicles already on fire when they reached the 10th floor of the cargo ship at Port Newark around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The blaze quickly extended to the 11th and 12th floors, and as firefighters were pushed back by the intense heat, two of them were lost, Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson said at a news conference at the port, where the fire was still burning early Thursday,

Firefighters weren't initially able to find their colleagues. Outside rescue companies from around the state were called in. Augusto "Augie" Acabou, 45, and Wayne "Bear" Brooks Jr., 49, were found and removed from the structure but unfortunately they lost their lives, Jackson said.

Brooks, assigned to Ladder 4, Tour 1, had been with the Newark Fire Division for 16 ½ years, according to the city’s Department of Public Safety. Acabou, assigned to Engine 16, Tour 1, had been with the Newark Fire Division for 9 ½ years 

Three Newark fire captains and two Elizabeth firefighters were treated for injuries including smoke inhalation. All were expected to recover.

Four of the FDNY’s Special Operations Units, including a marine unit, responded to the ship fire, with personnel still on the scene as of noon Thursday, a department spokesperson said. 

“The FDNY mourns with the Newark Fire Department after the loss of two Firefighters who were killed while bravely fighting a fire in the Port of Newark early this morning. Our hearts go out to the Newark Fire Department and the families of the two fallen Firefighters,” the FDNY posted on its social media pages. 

The Uniformed Firefighters Association paid tribute to the firefighters in a series of social media posts.  

“On behalf of the UFA, we offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and to the entire Newark Fire Department over the passing of Firefighters Augie Acabou and Wayne ‘bears’ Brooks. Both Firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice while battling a massive blaze onboard a massive ship carrying over 5000 cars yesterday evening,” the union said. “The conditions became unbearable and the 2 heroes became trapped inside the ship. Maydays were given but tragically, no one could reach them in time. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the Hudson River as they deal with this tragedy. Let us never forget the sacrifice these 2 heroes made.”

Shipboard firefighting is a unique skill and Newark firefighters don't commonly face this kind of fire, Jackson said. He said they trained on ships before, but it was a vessel that had compartments and living quarters, not a ship like this.

"Although this is a difficult fire, a different type of fire, they're still willing to put themselves on the line for others," the chief said. "This is a unique service that we're in. We love what we do. We love each other and we protect each other. It's unfortunate when we have loss. This is a tragedy. This is something that I as a chief never want to face, but we have to be there, we have to be strong for the family at this point."

Marine traffic trackers show the Italian-flagged Grande Costa d'Avorio, which was built in 2011, arrived from the Port of Baltimore several days earlier. Grimaldi Deep Sea said the fire broke out on the ship's 10th deck as its 28 crew members and local stevedores were completing the loading of more than 1,200 new and used cars, vans and trucks bound for West Africa.

The company's statement said the crew immediately activated on-board fire suppression procedures and the local firefighting service was alerted, triggering a prompt response that was crucial to containing and controlling the blaze. It also said that no electric cars or hazardous cargo is on board, no fuel spills have been detected, and the stability of the ship was not been compromised.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called it "tragic for all firefighters who know what it means to go in a burning structure in a danger that you are going to have to experience when you do so."

The Grimaldi Group statement said the cause of the fire isn't known, but it will investigate in cooperation with authorities.

"Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the loss of two Newark firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that it will investigate the ship fire, but the Coast Guard is taking the lead, said Jennifer Gabris, an NTSB spokeswoman. The NTSB has authority to investigate maritime accidents.