Cargo Ship Fire in Newark Continues to Rage After Two Days

Cargo Ship Fire in Newark Still Burning 2 Days Later

NEWARK, N.J. — The deadly Port Newark cargo ship fire was still burning Friday, two days after it started, and authorities expect it to last at least two more days.

More black smoke started filling the sky around 8 a.m. as loud popping noises signaled cars on the Grande Costa D’Avorio were burning once again.

Multiple agencies and environmental experts are on the scene to make sure first responders, port workers, and people living nearby are safe.

Firefighter Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks Jr. died when they became trapped in the inferno on Wednesday when the fire on the vessel first started on the 10th story and consumed several levels. Five other firefighters were injured, and sources told CBS New York that other first responders reported being impacted by the thick smoke.

“The Newark firefighters will be etched in the city’s history, public safety’s history, and the fire department’s history forever. Lost but not forgotten,” Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage said.

Commanders on the scene said the fire is still extremely challenging.

“Access is tough. The heat is extreme. It’s a steel box, so it’s a very complex situation, and you need a very good plan to be able to put firefighters in the vessel to actually put out these fires. It’s burning very hot, so currently a lot of the decks that are burning and the cars that are burning are inaccessible to our fire teams, so the best situation is to cool the vessel from the perimeter,” said Gordon Lorenson, Donjon Marine Co. project manager.

“Salvage and specifically shipboard firefighting is an extremely complex operation and requires responders to consider long-term firefighting efforts, damage, and discretion of the vessel and environmental impacts,” said Coast Guard Captain Zeida Merchant.

“There’s a team of 20-plus firefighters and additional salvage support who have been fighting this fire around the clock since it began,” said Tom Wiker, president of Gallagher Marine Systems.

The unified command, involving the Port Authority, Newark Fire Department, and Gallagher Marine Systems, the representative for the ship, are jointly tackling the plan for the next upcoming days.

Crews are spraying the vessel with water from the pier. But officials remain concerned excess water could cause the ship to tip, so additional crews are pumping water out and poking holes in the hull to allow water to drain out.

“The issue of the ship listing is a growing concern. It is currently listing three degrees toward the dock. A five- to six-degree shift is the danger zone,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “There is no timeline as to if or when the ship would reach the danger zone, as it remains to be seen how successful this operation will be.”

“Our number one priority is safety to our responders while officially extinguishing the fire, and this requires careful coordination for our firefighters and fire-suppression mechanism being utilized,” Merchant said.

“There are structural issues always caused by fire within a vessel, so we are monitoring that all times,” Lorenson said.

The ship representatives said they detected sulfur dioxide readings above actionable levels overnight while continuing to monitor water and air quality.

Officials say they have four stationary air monitoring devices next to the ship and a mobile unit being used around the port. So far, there have not been any big concerns.

The Port Authority said firefighters go through training for situations like this several times a year. Newark has two vessels at the port.

“We do not have a fire department within the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,” said Director Bethann Roone. “But as this investigation unfolds, everything is on the table for consideration.”

Several agencies are investigating the cause, but they can’t begin until it’s safe to go onboard the ship. It won’t be possible until the fire is out and the ship cools off.

The Grimaldi Group, operator of the ship, said the Grande Costa D’Avorio caught fire Wednesday as cars, vans, and trucks were being loaded. None of the vehicles were electric, they said.Cargo Ship Fire in Newark Still Burning 2 Days Later

NEWARK, N.J. — The deadly Port Newark cargo ship fire was still burning Friday, two days after it started, and authorities expect it to last at least two more days.

The fire on the Grande Costa D’Avorio cargo ship first started on the 10th story and consumed several levels. Firefighters Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks Jr. tragically lost their lives when they became trapped in the inferno on Wednesday. Five other firefighters were injured, and other first responders reported being impacted by the thick smoke.

Multiple agencies and environmental experts are on the scene to ensure the safety of first responders, port workers, and nearby residents. The fire is still extremely challenging, with access being tough and the heat being extreme. The vessel is a steel box, making it a complex situation for firefighters to navigate.

The unified command, involving the Port Authority, Newark Fire Department, and Gallagher Marine Systems, the representative for the ship, are jointly tackling the plan for the next upcoming days. Crews are spraying the vessel with water from the pier, but there are concerns that excess water could cause the ship to tip. Additional crews are pumping water out and poking holes in the hull to allow water to drain out.

The ship is currently listing three degrees toward the dock, and a five- to six-degree shift would be the danger zone. Governor Phil Murphy stated that there is no timeline as to if or when the ship would reach the danger zone, as the success of the operation is yet to be determined.

Environmental impacts are also being monitored, with no reported release of oil from the vessel so far. Air and water quality are being closely watched, and there have not been any major concerns.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it cannot begin until it is safe to go onboard the ship. The Grimaldi Group, operator of the ship, stated that the fire started as cars, vans, and trucks were being loaded onto the vessel. None of the vehicles were electric.

The Newark firefighters who lost their lives will be remembered as heroes, and their sacrifice will forever be etched in the city’s history. The firefighting efforts continue around the clock, with a team of 20-plus firefighters and additional salvage support working tirelessly to extinguish the fire.

As the situation unfolds, all possibilities are being considered, and the safety of responders remains the top priority.

How are the structural issues caused by the fire being closely monitored to ensure the safety of first responders, port workers, and nearby residents in Newark, New Jersey?

Scene in Newark, New Jersey to ensure the safety of first responders, port workers, and nearby residents. The fire is proving to be extremely challenging, with limited accessibility due to the heat and the complex structure of the ship. The fire is burning very hot and inaccessible areas are making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish the flames.

Efforts to cool the vessel from the perimeter are currently underway, with crews spraying water from the pier. However, there are concerns that excess water could cause the ship to tip, so additional crews are pumping water out and creating holes in the hull to allow water to drain out safely. The ship is currently listing three degrees toward the dock, and a five- to six-degree shift would pose a significant danger.

The safety of responders and the complete extinguishing of the fire are the top priorities. Structural issues caused by the fire are being closely monitored, and air and water quality are being continuously assessed. While there have not been any major concerns so far, the ship representatives have detected sulfur dioxide readings above actionable levels.

The investigation into the cause of the fire cannot begin until it is safe to go onboard the ship, which can only happen once the fire is completely extinguished and the ship cools off. The Grimaldi Group, operator of the ship, has stated that the fire started while vehicles were being loaded, and none of the vehicles were electric.

The city of Newark mourns the loss of Firefighters Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks Jr. and recognizes their heroism. Authorities and officials are working together to address the ongoing fire and ensure the safety of all involved.