Families say faulty vehicle caused cargo ship fire that killed two New Jersey firefighters
The families of two New Jersey firefighters who were killed battling a July blaze inside a cargo ship say a malfunctioning vehicle being used to load cargo caused the fire
NEWARK, N.J. — The families of two New Jersey firefighters who were killed battling a July blaze inside a cargo ship said Friday a malfunctioning vehicle being used to load cargo onto the ship caused the fire.
Relatives of Newark firefighters Captains Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr. held a news conference outside the firehouse where the two had worked, saying litigation to be filed in the coming months will seek to hold accountable the Italian shipping company that owned the ship, as well as two stevedore companies involved in loading the vessel.
The families already have filed notice of intent to sue the city of Newark, alleging the city did not adequately train firefighters to battle onboard ship fires.
The two died battling a fire that broke out July 5 when the Grande Costa d’Avorio caught fire in Port Newark, one of the nation's busiest seaports. The vessel was carrying automobiles.
“Wayne was taken from us in a manner that was entirely preventable,” said Michele Brooks, the widow of Wayne Brooks.
The news conference was held outside the headquarters of Engine 16 on what would have been Acabou’s 46th birthday. His brother Miguel said the families “want to prevent future occurrences like this from happening, so no other families have to suffer, just like we are, and will forever.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said he understands the families' need to understand what happened “so that they can make some kind of sense out of their loss.”
“The city wants the same thing,” Baraka said. “We trust that the investigators are completing their
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