NEWARK.- Two firefighters died when fighting a fire started on a cargo ship in the port of New Jersey carrying 5,000 vehicles, the Newark fire chief said Thursday.
Firefighters responding to the call found between five and seven vehicles already on fire when they arrived on the 10th floor of the vessel in Newark Harbor around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. The fire spread rapidly to the 11th and 12th floors, and two of the firefighters were missing when the crew had to turn back in the intense heat, Fire Chief Rufus Jackson told a news conference.
Firefighters were initially unable to find their comrades, and out-of-state rescue companies were called in for help. Firefighters were located and removed from the structure, but unfortunately they died, Jackson said.
Maritime location data indicated that the Grande Costa D’Avorio, built in 2011, had arrived seven days earlier from the port of Baltimore.
“We lost two firefighters today,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said at the scene. “A tragedy for us in the city of Newark and tragic for all firefighters who know what it’s like to walk into a burning structure.”
Baraka said that while he saw acts of bravery and camaraderie in the event, it was a traumatic loss for the entire city. The fire was still raging as officials held their press conference, though the mayor said work to put it out would continue.
Putting out fires on a ship requires specific skills, and Newark firefighters rarely deal with that kind of situation, Jackson said.
“Although this is a difficult fire, a different fire, they remain willing to put themselves in harm’s way for others,” the fire marshal said. “This is a unique service. We love what we do. We love each other and protect each other. It is unfortunate when we have a loss. This is a tragedy. As the boss, this is something I never want to face, but we have to be there, right now we have to be strong for the family.”
