A devastating fire that erupted on a cargo ship docked in Newark, New Jersey, resulted in the tragic deaths of two firefighters. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, and Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson confirmed the fatalities during an early Thursday press conference. The search for the missing firefighters was underway at the time of the announcement.
Responding to a report of multiple vehicles ablaze on the Grande Coaster Eadoirio ship at the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, firefighters arrived on the scene around 9:30 p.m. ET. While they managed to extinguish the main body of the fire, the flames had spread to multiple levels of the vessel, posing significant challenges, according to Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage.
The United States Coast Guard joined firefighting efforts, describing the vessel as a “roll-on/roll-off vehicle cargo ship.” By 5:20 a.m. ET, the fire was largely under control, with firefighting operations nearing completion. However, crews continued to monitor the ship. Alongside the two fatalities, up to a dozen firefighters were treated for injuries sustained while battling the fire.
The fire primarily affected the 11th and 12th floors of the ship, which is equipped with a Halon fire suppression system. Firefighters are now allowing that section to smolder, while the ship’s captain and the Coast Guard coordinate with a private firm to fully extinguish the remaining fire, as reported by the Newark Fire Department.
You can also read: Plane Crashes Shortly After Takeoff in Southern California
The cause of the fire remains unknown, with investigators yet to determine its origin, according to an official briefed on the situation.
