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UPDATE: 'Hearts Are Broken': IDs Of Newark Firefighters Killed In Line Of Duty Released
The firefighters had “made an attempt to extinguish the fire and, because of the intense heat, they got pushed back out of the area where the initial fire was,” Newark Fire Department Chief Rufus Jackson at a morning news conference on July 6.
The Grande Costa D'Avorio apparently was headed to Brooklyn after leaving Baltimore on Sunday with more than 5,000 vehicles when the fire ignited.
Crew members apparently doused at least six vehicle fires with their own lines on the top deck after the blaze ignited two decks below shortly before 9:30 p.m. July 5.
The ship was docked in the Port Newark Channel -- next to the New Jersey Turnpike and across from Newark Airport -- which branches off from Newark Bay.
Firefighters found the blaze at Berth No. 18, Level 10, with the flames extending to the ship's 12th level, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said.
Several maydays were called as two Newark firefighters became trapped inside the cargo ship.
One was heavily pinned on an upper deck and had to be extricated. Rescuers requested thermal imaging cameras, breathing air cylinders, cribbing blocks, rope and rigging systems.
A crane was used to lower that firefighter to the dock below after he was brought to the 12th deck and given CPR.
The FDNY had joined responders to conduct a thorough more than an hour past midnight.
Mutual aid was provided by Port Authority police, the Jersey City Fire Department, FDNY Special Operations, Bayonne Fire Department, Elizabeth Fire Department, Hackensack Fire Department, Union County Rescue, South Orange EMS, Millburn Fire Department, and more.
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NOTE: The responding departments listed in the story were those reported to Daily Voice from fire officials and responders at the scene. Did we miss any? If so, please text Jerry DeMarco at (201) 943-2794. Or email: jdemarco@dailyvoice.com. Or PM: Gerard (Jerry) DeMarco (FACEBOOK). THANK YOU!
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