Officials: Port Newark cargo ship fire is now officially out; investigation process to begin
The salvage and investigative process can take between 1 to 2 months.
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The fire onboard a cargo ship at Port Newark is now officially out, according to officials. Officials will now move on to determine what was the cause of the fire. The salvage and investigative process can take between 1 to 2 months.
The ship was packed with thousands of cars and more than one hundred containers went up in flames last Wednesday. The fire killed two Newark firefighters, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, who became trapped on the cargo ship.
City officials say Acabou and Brooks were not trained in how to respond to a ship fire. It took multiple agencies working around the clock to completely put the fire out.
Officials made it clear Tuesday that the cargo ship had dropped off some electric cars and original equipment manufacturer in Baltimore. In Baltimore, the containers that were on deck were loaded. Previously owned vehicles at Newark were loaded then headed to Rhode Island where more previously owned cars were picked up. All the vehicles were then unloaded in West Africa.
MORE: Elizabeth firefighter injured in Newark cargo ship fire released from hospital
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Authorities also shared hat gas tanks were emptied to an absolute minimum and batteries were disconnected.
“Before they are shipped for transport the gasoline tanks are all but have a spit in them in order to get them off the ship. Batteries are disconnected it and things like that. So, there is no report of the cargo that we have on board in terms of the manifest that there were lithium-ion batteries on board this particular vessel,” said Bethann Rooney, the Port Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Officials have also been doing air monitoring and water sampling. They say the air quality is good and water samples should be back soon.
Funeral arrangements now set for Brooks and Acabou
MORE: Funeral service details released for 2 Newark firefighters killed in action
Augusto Acabou’s viewing will take place July 12 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart in Newark. The funeral will take place there the following day at 10 a.m.
Wayne Brooks, Jr.’s viewing will be held July 13, also at the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart in Newark. His funeral will also be held there on July 14.
