Two firefighters Killed, more hurt in Port of Newark Ship Fire
Two firefighters were killed after becoming trapped while fighting a ship fire at Port of Newark.
According to police, the fire broke out on the Grand Costa D'Avorio, a roll on/roll off auto transporter shortly after 9:30 pm Wednesday. Multiple vehicles were reportedly on fire inside the ship. Firefighters entered the ship in an attempt to extinguish the fire but were quickly pushed back due to the intense heat from the blaze, according to Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson.
#BREAKING Firefighters TRAPPED on Burning ship 🛳
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) July 6, 2023
Mayday was transmitted for a ship on fire at Newark port, with multiple firefighters missing. One firefighter had legs stuck, as crews attempt to remove him from Port at End of Suez street. Crews search for multiple firefighters… pic.twitter.com/UkyDdcLvA6
Two firefighters were lost while conducting this action of backing out of the structure," Jackson said during a press conference. The unidentified firefighters were located on the ship overnight.
The Grande Costa D'Avorio was carrying about 5,000 vehicles, according to Newark's Mayor. According to the Marinetraffic.com database, the ship arrived in Newark on Monday. It is an Italian ship capable of carrying 47232 tons of cargo.
“This is not a common fire for the city of Newark and the Newark firefighters,” Jackson added. “But it’s in this city and we have members, brave men and women of the Newark Fire Department that go out and they put this uniform on. They fight fires and protect homes and save life in the city of Newark every single day.
#UPDATE Firefighter STILL MISSING as Rescues Continue on NEWARK Boatd Fire - NJ
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) July 6, 2023
Multple firefighters were missing on a ship, transmitting a MAYDAY signal to the crews. Two firefighters were pulled into safety after battling the blaze, another firefighter trapped was lifted by… pic.twitter.com/cvs9ULfHKx