Two firefighters lost their lives while five others sustained injuries during a battle with intense fire that broke out in a cargo ship loaded withautomobiles at Port Newark in New Jersey.
According to theNewark Fire Department, the fire led to twomayday calls after the emergency crews started coming to the post at about 9:30pm, reported NY Times.
The firefighters who were killed were identified asAugusto “Augie” Acabou, 45, andWayne Brooks Jr, 49.
“These were two of our best,” Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark said on Thursday. He said that both of them did not hesitate to rush into the fire.
“Our members went in, like we always do, to try to make a bad situation better,” saidChief Rufus Jackson of the Newark Fire Department.
“We think, and we hope, that each day we go out, that we return,” he added. “This is an ultimate sacrifice.”
Three other firefighters were hospitalised after suffering from burn injuries while two members of theElizabeth Fire Department were taken to the hospital forsmoke inhalation.
The ship namedGrande Costa d’Avorio was carrying 1,200 new and used cars, vans and trucks and 157 containers apart from the crew, said theGrimaldi Group. They added that it did not have anyelectric cars or hazardous cargo nor any fuel was spilled.
Offering its condolences, Grimaldi expressed regrets over the death and said that its "thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with their families and team currently.”
“At this time,” the company continued, “it is not known how the fire started but the company will undertake a full investigation in close cooperation with all relevant authorities.”