Two New Jersey firefighters died after becoming trapped while fighting a fire on a cargo ship in Port Newark Wednesday night, authorities said.
Firefighters responded to reports of a fire around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Newark Fire Division Chief Rufus Jackson said at a news conference.
When they arrived, they found the fire on the 10th floor of the cargo ship, which was docked at Corbin and Marsh streets, Jackson said. The fire quickly spread to the 11th and 12th floors, he said.
Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, but were “pulled out” due to the intensity of the heat. When they backed up, the two firefighters disappeared, Jackson said.
A search effort was launched, but rescuers were unable to save them.
“The two individuals were removed from the structure. Unfortunately, we lost two members today,” Jackson said.
Several rescue agencies assisted in the search, Jackson said. The US Coast Guard saying he was one of those who returned fire from the ship.
Calling the incident a tragedy that would be traumatic for many, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said the fire had not yet been extinguished at the time of the news conference.
He said around 5,000 vehicles had been on the cargo ship, emphasizing just how large of a structure firefighters had to breach in the incident. “In the process, we had two calls for maydays,” she said.
“Today I saw the kind of acts of bravery and camaraderie that are unparalleled and, you know, it’s very, very, very traumatic for all of us here in the city of Newark,” Baraka said.
The mayor said the identities of the firefighters killed in the fire will not be released until the families are notified.
Colin Sheeley contributed.
