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 steel box structure of the ship makes 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 remains to be seen.
Environmental impacts are also being monitored, with no reported release of oil from the vessel so far. Air and water quality are being closely monitored, 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 ship. None of the vehicles were electric.
The Newark firefighters who lost their lives will be remembered as heroes, and the city mourns their loss. This cargo ship fire highlights the increasing number of fires on large shipping vessels, with at least four other fires reported on ships operated by the Grimaldi Group over the past few years.
The firefighting efforts continue around the clock, with a team of 20-plus firefighters and additional salvage support working tirelessly to extinguish the fire. The safety of responders remains the top priority, and careful coordination is required to ensure their safety while battling the fire.
As the investigation unfolds, all possibilities are being considered, and several agencies are working together to determine the cause of the fire. However, it will only be possible to begin the investigation once the fire is out and the ship cools off.
The Port Newark cargo ship fire serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by firefighters and the importance of their heroic efforts in protecting lives and property.
How are responders ensuring the safety of the ship’s crew while pumping water out and creating holes in the hull?
Onal crews are pumping water out and creating holes in the hull to allow water to drain out.
The issue of the ship listing is a growing concern, as it is currently listing three degrees toward the dock. A five- to six-degree shift could be dangerous. The safety of the responders is the number one priority, and careful coordination is required to extinguish the fire.
Structural issues caused by the fire within the vessel are being monitored closely. Sulfur dioxide readings above actionable levels were detected overnight, prompting continuous monitoring of water and air quality.
Several agencies are investigating the cause of the fire, but they cannot start until it is safe to go onboard the ship. The Grimaldi Group, operator of the ship, stated that the fire broke out as vehicles were being loaded, with none of them being electric.
The fire on the cargo ship continues to pose immense challenges, but efforts are ongoing to control and extinguish it. The safety of all involved remains the top priority, with authorities and experts working together to ensure the well-being of first responders, port workers, and nearby residents.
This devastating cargo ship fire in Newark is a grim reminder of the challenges faced by firefighters. Hopefully, the blaze can be contained soon to minimize further damage and ensure the safety of all involved.
This is an alarming situation! It’s concerning to see the fire on the Newark cargo ship still raging after two days. Urgent action is required to contain and extinguish the blaze to prevent further damage and potential environmental disaster.